Monday, September 28, 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.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Hundreds of Muslims in India are protesting

Heading 2

Muslims protest planned demolition of 600-year-old mosque to make way for Hindu pilgrimage

Demonstrators told local media, Maktoob, that it was wrong to wipe out the existence of a religion to favour another.

Ghanian police officers

Africa

Ghana police arrest three suspects over alleged murder of 33-year-old man

The suspects, Philip Dzifa Kofi Tefe, Sarah Osei Adams and Josiah Obodai, were arrested following investigations by the missing persons unit.

CUSTOMS OFFICERS

Lagos

Fire guts customs’ office in Lagos

Fire gutted the Nigeria Customs Service’s office in Lagos on Monday, destroying property worth millions of naira.

Veterinarian at work

States

Group urges two vets per LG to tackle rabies in Kogi

The association said the move would strengthen rabies surveillance and the state’s One Health response.

Kaduna poly

Education

Kaduna ‌poly fashion runway targets visibility, industry linkages

The polytechnic’s fashion head, Alabi Usman, said the upcoming 2026 fashion runway would boost the institution’s visibility and entrepreneurial potential.

Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF)

Showbiz

KADIFF hosts Kaduna screening of Chude Jideonwo’s documentary

The Kaduna International Film Festival on Monday hosted the Kaduna screening of a documentary by Chude Jideonwo, exploring experiences, realities and issues affecting Nigerians.