By Ibrahim Salaudeen, Lagos
Popular social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO was brought before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and alleged stealing.
According to the EFCC, the influencer allegedly collected N36 million from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the representation was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The EFCC further accused the defendant of fraudulently converting the money to personal use, contrary to the Criminal Code Act.
During the proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that his client had already refunded N24 million to the petitioner and was making efforts to settle the outstanding balance.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million.
“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case,” the lawyer said.
However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the Federal Government, and not the petitioner, was the complainant in the matter.
“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment. We urge that the defendant take her plea, as that is the business of the day,” Suleiman argued.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that any private settlement discussion between the defendant and the petitioner would not stop the criminal proceedings before the court.
“The defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court. The defendant will take her plea,” the judge ruled.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges.
And following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, her lawyer informed the court that the defence had only been served with the charges on Thursday and was still preparing a bail application.
He therefore requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.
The case was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
