By Ibrahim Salaudeen, Lagos
The trial of social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, was on Wednesday adjourned until July 20, 2026, after she failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over reported ill health.
Blessing CEO is standing trial before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and the alleged theft of N36 million.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafuru, informed the court that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service had notified him that the defendant was unwell and therefore unable to attend the hearing.
He urged the court to grant an adjournment, assuring the judge that a medical report detailing her condition would be presented at the next sitting.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and adjourned the case until Monday, July 20, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
One of the charges reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did obtain the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira) from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex situated at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State, which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
The defendant is expected to return to court on July 20, when the trial is scheduled to continue.
