The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned popular social media influencer and self-styled 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 the EFCC, the influencer is facing a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and theft involving N36 million.
During the proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had refunded part of the disputed sum to the petitioner.
The lawyer told the court that Blessing CEO had refunded N24 million out of the N36 million and requested a short adjournment to enable both parties resolve the outstanding balance.
Nwafor added that the nominal complainant had agreed to prevail on the EFCC to discontinue the matter if the balance was paid.
However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the anti-graft agency was not part of any private settlement arrangement between the defendant and the complainant.
He argued that the complainant in the matter was the Federal Government of Nigeria and urged the court to proceed with the arraignment and plea of the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that any settlement discussions between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not affect 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 pretext 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 representation was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Another charge accused the influencer of fraudulently converting the money to personal use, contrary to the Criminal Code Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.
Defence counsel, however, informed the court that the charges were only served on Thursday and that the defence was still preparing a bail application.
He subsequently requested that the defendant be remanded 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 the commencement of trial.
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