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Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Alleged N2 Million Fraud: ICPC arraigns ministry of works director Lere-Adams

The case has been adjourned until April 20, 2026 for a hearing.

• February 17, 2026
ICPC
ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Adiobome Blessing Lere-Adams, a director from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for corruption over alleged laundering of N2 million.

Ms Lere-Adams appeared before Justice M.S. Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, February 16, 2026, a state on the ICPC website said on Tuesday.

The charges filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/551/2025 allege that between August 2022 and January 2024 in the Federal Capital Territory, she illegally received and retained funds from a subordinate, which she knew, or ought reasonably to have known, were the proceeds of corruption.

One of the counts against her reads, “That you, Blessing Adiobome Lere-Adams (F), on or about 18th August 2022 at Abuja, FCT within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court while being a Director at Federal Ministry of Works and Housing directly took possession of and retained N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) transferred to your First Bank account number 3002361584 by one Henry David, your subordinate, when you reasonably ought to have known that such fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption. Thereby, you committed an offence contrary to section 18(2)(d) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The ICPC prosecution team led by Ms Onwuka Ngozi, contends that Ms Lere-Adams received various sums of money from her subordinate, Henry David.

It was further alleged that she transferred substantial portions of the illicit funds to her spouse, Olujimi Lere-Adams, and into a Fidelity Bank account belonging to her son, Jafe Joel Lere-Adams, despite being aware that the money originated from unlawful activity.

Ms Lere-Adams, represented by her counsel, Mr Nduka, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following an application from the defence for bail on liberal terms, Justice Liman granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with one surety in the like amount.

The surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction with a verifiable address, provide two passport photographs for verification by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and submit a sworn affidavit along with three years’ worth of tax clearance for the court’s inspection.

At the request of the defence counsel, and with no objection from the prosecution, the court granted a 72-hour grace period for the defendant to meet the bail conditions.

Justice Liman warned that the bail would be revoked if the terms were not satisfied within this timeframe.

The case has been adjourned until April 20, 2026 for a hearing.

The defendant faces a six-count charge, including violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Federal Provisions Act, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

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