The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Nkiruka, popularly known as “Blessing CEO,” was arraigned on Friday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.
The case was heard before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
During proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million to the petitioner out of the alleged N36 million involved in the matter.
“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,” the lawyer told the court.
However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, maintained that the Federal Government of Nigeria remained the complainant in the case and insisted that the arraignment proceed.
“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,” Suleiman stated.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not stop the court proceedings, ordering that the defendant take her plea.
According to the charge, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretext of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC further alleged that the defendant fraudulently converted the money to personal use, contrary to provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Criminal Code Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.
Defence counsel, however, told the court that the defendant was only served with the charge a day earlier and that efforts were ongoing to file a bail application. He 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 matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Discussion about this post