The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned popular social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud case.
The defendant, widely known as “Blessing CEO,” was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
According to the anti-graft agency, the charges stem from allegations that the influencer fraudulently 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.
During the court proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that efforts were already underway to settle the matter amicably, revealing that the defendant had allegedly refunded N24 million to the petitioner.
He appealed for a short adjournment to allow both parties resolve the outstanding balance, adding that the nominal complainant had indicated willingness to seek withdrawal of the case upon full repayment.
“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 defence counsel told the court.
However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, maintained that the Federal Government of Nigeria remained the complainant in the matter and insisted that the arraignment should proceed irrespective of any private settlement discussions.
“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 discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant would not halt the judicial process, stressing that the defendant must take her plea before the court.
One of the charges alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, Blessing CEO obtained N36 million from the petitioner under false pretence by claiming she could facilitate the lease of the Lekki property, a representation the prosecution said she knew to be false.
The second charge accused her of fraudulently converting the said sum for personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
When the charges were read before the court, the defendant pleaded “not guilty.” Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the commencement of trial.
The defence, however, informed the court that the charges were only served on the defendant on Thursday, May 14, 2026, adding that her bail application was still being processed. Counsel consequently appealed that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant remain in the custody of the EFCC pending further proceedings. The case was subsequently adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
