The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged ₦36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO was arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded part of the money to the nominal complainant.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded ₦24 million out of the ₦36 million,” Nwafor told the court.
“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.”
Responding, prosecution counsel, Suleiman I. Suleiman, said the prosecution was not aware of any arrangement between the defendant and the nominal complainant.
“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for arraignment. We urge the court to allow the defendant to take her plea, as that is the business of the day,” he said.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue while the matter remained 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.
One of the charges alleged that Blessing CEO obtained ₦36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
According to the EFCC, the representation was false and constituted an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The second charge accused the defendant of fraudulently converting the ₦36 million, said to belong to Okoye, to her personal use, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, defence counsel informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charges on Thursday, May 14, 2026, adding that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application.
He therefore urged the court to remand her 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 matter was subsequently adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
