Alleged N36m Fraud: Court remands Blessing CEO in EFCC custody

Crime Diary

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 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 Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.

Blessing CEO was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

According to the EFCC, she allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretext of leasing a six-bedroom duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.

At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, told the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million to the petitioner and requested a short adjournment to allow both parties to settle the outstanding balance.

However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the request, insisting that the Federal Government remained the complainant in the matter and urged the court to proceed with the arraignment.

Justice Dipeolu ruled that discussions between the defendant and the petitioner could continue while proceedings were ongoing and directed that the arraignment proceed.

One of the charges alleged that Blessing CEO fraudulently obtained the money between July 14 and 17, 2024, through false representation relating to the lease of the property.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant pending trial.

The defence, however, informed the court that the charge was only served on the defendant on May 14, 2026, and prayed that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the filing of her bail application.

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

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