Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Blessing CEO, over an alleged N36 million fraud case.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to a statement published on the EFCC website, the influencer is facing a two-count charge bordering on alleged stealing and obtaining money under false pretence involving N36 million.
During the court proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that part of the money had already been refunded to the petitioner.
The lawyer said, “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.”
However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman maintained that the EFCC was not involved in any settlement talks 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,” he said.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Dipeolu stated that any settlement discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant 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.
According to one of the charges, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of securing a lease for a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
The EFCC alleged that the claim was false and amounted to an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Another charge accused the influencer of allegedly converting the money to personal use, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.
Her lawyer, however, informed the court that the defence only received the charges on Thursday and was still preparing a bail application.
He then appealed to the court to allow the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody.
The case was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
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