The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned popular social media personality and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant obtained N36 million from one 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.
According to the commission, the representation made to the complainant was false and contrary to the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The EFCC further alleged that the funds were diverted for personal use.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million to the nominal complainant and appealed for a short adjournment to allow parties resolve the outstanding balance.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” the lawyer told the court.
He added that the complainant had agreed to prevail on the EFCC to discontinue the matter if the outstanding balance was paid.
However, prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the request, insisting that the matter was between the defendant and the Federal Government of Nigeria, not the complainant.
“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,” the prosecutor argued.
Ruling on the application, Justice D.I. Dipeolu held that discussions between the defendant and the complainant would not stop the criminal proceedings before the court.
“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 ruled.
The defendant subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.
But defence counsel informed the court that the charges were only served on Thursday and that a bail application was still being prepared, urging the court to allow the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending hearing of the bail application.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Okoro Blessing Nkiruka be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
