Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned popular social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka popularly known as Blessing CEO over an alleged ₦36 million fraud involving a property deal in Lagos.
Gatekeepers News reports that Blessing CEO was arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of Federal High Court in Ikoyi on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged stealing. According to the EFCC, the alleged offence involved a six-bedroom detached duplex located in Lekki, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, the influencer obtained ₦36 million from a complainant, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, under the pretext of securing the property lease, which prosecutors said was false.
During the court proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had already refunded ₦24 million to the complainant and requested a short adjournment to settle the outstanding balance.
“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance,” the lawyer said, adding that the complainant had agreed to prevail on the EFCC to discontinue the case if full repayment was made.
However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the Federal Government was the complainant in the matter and not part of any private settlement discussion.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently ruled that settlement talks would not stop the criminal proceedings and directed the defendant to take her plea. Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court later ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions, while the matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for trial.
