The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud case.
Newsonspot reports that the defendant, popularly known as “Blessing CEO,” was arraigned on Friday, May 15, 2026, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and alleged stealing.
According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained the sum of N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
At the commencement of 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 allow both parties resolve the outstanding balance amicably.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million. We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance,” the defence counsel stated.
However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, maintained that the Federal Government of Nigeria remained the complainant in the matter and insisted that the arraignment proceed as scheduled.
Responding to the submissions, Justice Dipeolu ruled that ongoing discussions between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not affect the court proceedings and directed that the defendant take her plea.
One of the charges alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained N36 million from the complainant through false representation concerning the lease of the Lekki property.
Another count accused her of converting the said sum to personal use, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Code Act and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to all charges when they were read before the court.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
Counsel to the defendant, however, argued that the charges were only served on May 14, 2026, and informed the court that efforts were ongoing to perfect her bail application. He therefore requested that she be remanded in EFCC custody instead.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody pending the determination of her bail application.
The case was subsequently adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
