EFCC arraigns Blessing CEO again over alleged ₦69.15m fraud

Crime Diary

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over an alleged N69.15 million fraud.

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

According to the EFCC, the charges involve an alleged fraud totalling N69,150,000.

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At the commencement of proceedings, prosecution 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 line with the law, following which the charges were read to the defendant.

The latest arraignment comes weeks after Blessing CEO was brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos by the EFCC on separate allegations of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

In that earlier case before Justice D.I. Dipeolu, the anti-graft agency alleged that she obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretext of securing the lease of a six-bedroom duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.

During proceedings in the earlier matter, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million to the petitioner and sought a short adjournment to enable efforts toward resolving the outstanding balance.

The EFCC maintains that the allegations against the defendant constitute offences under relevant laws, while the matter before Justice Oshodi is expected to continue on a date to be determined by the court.

Blessing CEO remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.