The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Blessing CEO, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday on two counts of alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
The anti-graft agency accused the defendant of allegedly obtaining N36 million from a petitioner under false claims linked to a property transaction.
During proceedings, counsel to the defendant, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that his client had made efforts toward restitution, noting that part of the money had already been refunded.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” Nwafor said.
He further appealed for a brief adjournment to enable discussions on settling the outstanding balance.
“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,” he added.
However, prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the request, maintaining that the commission was not involved in any private arrangement between the defendant and the complainant.
“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.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Dipeolu held that any private discussion between the defendant and the petitioner 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.
According to one of the charges, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and July 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.
The EFCC alleged that the representation was false and contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Another charge accused the defendant of unlawfully 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 urged the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial. However, defence counsel told the court that the legal team had only been served with the charges on Thursday and was still preparing a bail application.
Nwafor subsequently requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
