ICPC Arraigns Works Ministry Director For Cash Laundering Allegation

The Impartial Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee has arraigned a Director with the Federal Ministry of Works, Blessing Lere-Adams, on prices bordering on cash laundering and corruption.

Lere-Adams was introduced earlier than the Federal Excessive Court docket, Abuja, on Monday on six prices beneath the Cash Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; the Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Federal Provisions Act; and the Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Act, 2000.

The go well with was marked FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025.

A press release on Tuesday by the ICPC spokesman, John Odey, stated the alleged offences have been dedicated between August 2022 and January 2024 in Abuja.

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The ICPC, led by prosecuting counsel Onwuka Ngozi, alleged that the defendant acquired varied sums of cash from her subordinate, Henry David, which she knew or ought fairly to have identified have been proceeds of corruption.

The fee additional alleged that Lere-Adams transferred components of the funds to her husband, Mr Olujimi Lere-Adams, and to a Constancy {Bank account} belonging to her son, Jafe Lere-Adams.

One of many counts learn, “That you simply, Blessing Adiobome Lere-Adams, on or about August 18, 2022 at Abuja, FCT throughout the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court docket whereas being a Director at Federal Ministry of Works and Housing straight took possession of and retained N2,000,000.00 transferred to your First {Bank account} quantity 3002361584 by one Henry David, your subordinate, once you fairly should have identified that such fund shaped a part of the proceeds of an illegal act, to wit: corruption.

“Thereby, you dedicated an offence opposite to part 18(2)(d) and punishable beneath part 18(3) of the Cash Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Odey stated Lere-Adams, represented by her counsel, Nduka, pleaded not responsible to all the costs and subsequently utilized for bail on liberal phrases.

He stated Justice M. Liman granted her bail within the sum of ₦5 million with one surety in like sum.

“The surety should reside throughout the court docket’s jurisdiction with a verifiable deal with, present two passport pictures for verification by the Nationwide Identification Administration Fee, and submit a sworn affidavit together with three years’ value of tax clearance for the court docket’s inspection, ” the assertion added.

The matter was adjourned to April 20, 2026, for listening to.

The ICPC stated the arraignment underscores its resolve to make sure accountability in public service.

On January 29, the ICPC arraigned Yusuf Mustapha, a Deputy Director on the Nigerian Funding Promotion Fee, earlier than the Federal Capital Territory Excessive Court docket in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged forgery.