EFCC arraigns Blessing CEO over fresh alleged N69.1 million fraud

Social media influencer and relationship coach, Blessing Okoro Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N69.15 million fraud.

Ms Nkiruka was brought before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

At the commencement of proceedings, EFCC counsel C.C. Okezie urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, arguing that the defendant had been duly served with the charge.

However, defence counsel Nkama Nneka informed the court that service of the charge had only recently been effected.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that the arraignment should proceed in accordance with the law, after which the charges were read to the defendant.

According to the EFCC, Ms Nkiruka allegedly obtained N69.15 million from Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited by falsely claiming ownership of a property located at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, Lagos, which she purportedly leased to the company for five years.

The anti-graft agency further alleged that she dishonestly converted the sum to her personal use.

The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act as well as the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.

Following her plea, Mr Okezie requested a trial date and urged the court to remand her in EFCC custody pending her scheduled arraignment before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on 10 June in connection with another alleged fraud case.

Justice Oshodi subsequently remanded Ms Nkiruka in EFCC custody and adjourned the case until 16 July for the hearing of her bail application and commencement of trial.

Separate N36 million case

In a related development, Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday granted Ms Nkiruka bail in the sum of N10 million in a separate N36 million fraud case.

The court ordered that she provide two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a family member.

The family-member surety is required to submit proof of employment, a Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and a valid phone number.

Both sureties must also provide valid international passports, tax clearance certificates for the last two years, and six passport photographs.

Ms Nkiruka had earlier been arraigned by the EFCC on a separate two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving N36 million.