A social media influencer and self acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N36 million fraud before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, arraigned the defendant on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretext of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
During proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million to the petitioner and requested a short adjournment to enable parties settle 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 said.
However, prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman argued that the prosecution was not aware of any arrangement between the defendant and the nominal complainant, insisting that the matter before the court was the arraignment and plea of the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue while proceedings remained ongoing, adding that the defendant must first take her plea.
One of the charges stated that Blessing CEO allegedly obtained the sum of N36 million from the complainant between July 14 and 17, 2024, through false representation regarding the lease of the property in Lekki.
Another count alleged that she fraudulently converted the money, said to belong to Mrs. Okoye, to personal use.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.
The defence, however, informed the court that the defendant was only served with the charge on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and that efforts were ongoing to file a bail application. Counsel subsequently requested that she be remanded 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 until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from Third Lens.
Contact: theeditor@thirdlensng.com
