The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a Director in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mrs. Adiobome Blessing Lere-Adams, over alleged involvement in money laundering and corruption.
Mrs. Lere-Adams was brought before Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, February 16, 2026, to answer a six-count charge bordering on unlawful possession and transfer of funds believed to be proceeds of corruption.
According to the ICPC, the charges, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025, relate to alleged offences committed between August 2022 and January 2024 within the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement, ICPC spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, said the prosecution, led by Mrs. Onwuka Ngozi, accused the defendant of receiving various sums of money from her subordinate, Mr. Henry David, which she knew or ought reasonably to have known were derived from corrupt practices.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that Mrs. Lere-Adams transferred substantial parts of the funds to her husband, Mr. Olujimi Lere-Adams, and into a Fidelity Bank account belonging to her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams, despite being aware of the illicit origin of the money.
One of the charges states that the defendant allegedly took possession of N2 million transferred into her First Bank account by the subordinate on August 18, 2022, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges through her counsel, Barrister Nduka.
Following an application by the defence, the court granted her bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in the same amount. The surety is required to reside within the court’s jurisdiction, provide a verifiable address, two passport photographs for verification by the National Identity Management Commission, and submit a sworn affidavit along with three years’ tax clearance.
The court also granted a 72-hour grace period for the defendant to perfect the bail conditions and warned that the bail would be revoked if the requirements were not met.
The matter was adjourned until April 20, 2026, for hearing.
The ICPC reiterated its resolve to sustain efforts at tackling corruption and ensuring that public officials who abuse their offices are held accountable.
