Social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following her arraignment over alleged fraud involving ₦36 million before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC brought the social media influencer before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
The commission alleged that the sum of ₦36 million was involved in the case.
At the commencement of proceedings, the defence counsel, P. I. Nwafor, told the court that part of the alleged funds had already been returned to the complainant.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” Nwafor said.
“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 prosecution, however, opposed the application, insisting the matter was ready for arraignment and that the alleged discussions were not within its knowledge.
“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 said.
Ruling on the application, Justice Dipeolu held that settlement discussions could still take place without halting the court process.
“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 charge detailed that Blessing CEO allegedly obtained ₦36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretence of leasing a property in Lekki, Lagos, which prosecutors said was false. She was also accused of converting the funds to personal use.
“That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did obtain the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira) from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex situated at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State, which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Another count reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently converted to your own use the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira), property of Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against her.
Following her plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a trial date and sought an order remanding her in custody pending trial.
The defence counsel informed the court that the charge had only been served a day earlier and noted that a bail application was being prepared. He then asked that she be kept in EFCC custody pending the completion of bail arrangements.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
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