Alleged N36m fraud: EFCC arraigns social media influencer Blessing CEO in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday arraigned social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N36 million fraud.

The defendant was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences involve N36 million said to have been obtained from one Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the guise of a property lease transaction in Lagos.

At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that part of the disputed sum had already been refunded to the petitioner.

“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 nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case,” he said.

However, prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, distanced the prosecution from any settlement discussions 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,” he said.

Ruling on the issue, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue independently of the criminal proceedings.

“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.

One of the charges alleged that between 14 and 17 July 2024, the defendant obtained N36 million from Mrs Okoye by falsely claiming the money was for the lease of 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 constituted an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

In the second count, the anti-graft agency accused the defendant of fraudulently converting the same sum to personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act.

Blessing CEO pleaded “not guilty” to both charges.

Following the plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.

The defence, however, told the court that the charge was only served on the defendant on Thursday, 14 May 2026, adding that efforts were ongoing to file a bail application.

Counsel subsequently urged the court to allow the defendant to remain in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.

Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.

The case was adjourned till 5 June 2026 for the commencement of the trial.