By Gloria Attah
Social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged stealing.
According to the EFCC, the charges stem from allegations that the influencer obtained N36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the guise of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the transaction, which reportedly took place between July 14 and 17, 2024, was fraudulent and contravened the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
During proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had already refunded N24 million to the complainant and requested a short adjournment to allow both parties resolve the outstanding balance.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” the lawyer said.
“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.”
However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the EFCC was not part of any private settlement arrangement between the defendant and the petitioner.
“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 told the court.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that any private discussion between the defendant and the complainant would not interfere with 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.
Following her plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial, while the defence informed the court that it had only been served with the charges on Thursday and was still preparing a bail application.
The defence subsequently requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
