Social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO was arraigned on Friday, May 15, 2026, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
At the commencement of proceedings, her counsel, P.I. Nwafor, told the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million out of the N36 million to the petitioner.
Nwafor said the defendant had approached the nominal complainant and made the part-payment, adding that the defence was seeking a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance.
“The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” he told the court.
He added that the nominal complainant had agreed that if the balance was paid, they could prevail on the EFCC to drop the case.
Prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, however, said the prosecution was not aware of any settlement discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant.
Suleiman argued that the complainant in the case was the Federal Government of Nigeria and urged the court to proceed with the arraignment.
Justice Dipeolu ruled that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue while the charge remained pending, but said the talks would not stop the court proceedings.
“The defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court. The defendant will take her plea,” the judge held.
One of the counts alleged that Blessing CEO, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC said the alleged offence was contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The second count accused her of fraudulently converting the N36 million, property of Mrs. Okoye, to her own use, contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.
Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, the defence informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charge on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application.
Nwafor asked the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
