By A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has remanded social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO was arraigned on Friday, May 15, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
According to the anti-graft agency, the influencer allegedly obtained ₦36 million between July 14 and 17, 2024, from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the guise of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC further alleged that the defendant fraudulently converted the money to personal use between July 14 and 17, 2024.
At the commencement of proceedings, counsel to the defendant, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that efforts were already underway to settle the matter out of court. According to him, Blessing CEO had refunded ₦24 million out of the disputed ₦36 million to the petitioner.
However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, argued that the EFCC was not part of any private arrangement 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 stated.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant would not stop the criminal proceedings before the court.
Blessing CEO subsequently pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to her.
Following her plea, the prosecution applied for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
The defence, however, told the court that the charge was only served on the defendant on Thursday, May 14, adding that efforts were ongoing to perfect her bail application.
The defence therefore urged the court to remand Blessing in EFCC custody pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody, adjourning the case till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
