Popular social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Blessing CEO, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged ₦36 million fraud case.
The defendant, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, appeared on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, following charges filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
She is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and stealing, involving the sum of ₦36 million.
During proceedings, her counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that ₦24 million had already been refunded to the complainant and sought an adjournment to settle the outstanding balance, noting that the complainant was reportedly open to resolving the matter if the remaining funds were paid.
However, the prosecution opposed any suggestion of a private settlement, stressing that the complainant in the case is the Federal Government of Nigeria and that the EFCC could not be bound by out-of-court arrangements.
The court upheld the prosecution’s position, with Justice Dipeolu ruling that private discussions between the defendant and the complainant would not affect the criminal proceedings, and ordered Blessing CEO to take her plea.
According to the charge sheet, she allegedly obtained ₦36 million from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretext of leasing a six-bedroom duplex located on Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC further alleged that the representation was false and constituted an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, while a second count accused her of converting the funds for personal use.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested that she be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial, while her defence counsel asked for time to file a bail application and requested that she remain in EFCC custody temporarily.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody, adjourning the case until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.