Popular Nigerian social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N36 million fraud case.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC brought the influencer before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday over allegations bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent conversion of funds.
According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from a petitioner, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road in Lekki, Lagos State.
The commission stated that the representation made to the complainant was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The EFCC also accused the influencer of allegedly converting the funds for personal use, contrary to the Criminal Code Act.
During the court proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had already refunded N24 million out of the disputed N36 million to the petitioner. He requested a short adjournment to allow both parties resolve the outstanding balance amicably.
According to the defence lawyer, the nominal complainant had indicated willingness to persuade the EFCC to discontinue the matter once the remaining balance was paid.
However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, stressing that the Federal Government of Nigeria remains the complainant in the criminal matter and not the private petitioner.
Justice D.I. Dipeolu ruled that any private settlement discussions between the defendant and the petitioner would not interfere with the ongoing criminal proceedings before the court. The judge subsequently directed the defendant to take her plea.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge filed against her.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested that she be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial. Her lawyer, however, appealed for her to remain in EFCC custody, noting that the defence had only recently been served with the charges and was still preparing a formal bail application.
The court granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
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The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
