EFCC arraigns Blessing CEO for alleged N36 million fraud

A Federal High Court in Lagos has arraigned social media personality and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over an alleged N36 million fraud.

The arraignment was carried out on Friday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Blessing CEO is facing a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and fraudulent conversion of funds amounting to N36 million.

During the proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that his client had refunded N24 million to the complainant and requested a short adjournment to allow both parties settle the outstanding balance.

According to the defence, the complainant had indicated willingness to persuade the EFCC to discontinue the matter if the balance was paid.

However, prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, maintaining that the anti-graft agency was not involved in any settlement discussions between the defendant and the nominal complainant.

“The complainant in this matter is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the business before the court today is the arraignment,” the prosecutor argued.

In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that any discussion between the defendant and the complainant would not affect the criminal proceedings, directing that the defendant should proceed to take her plea.

One of the charges alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, Blessing CEO obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretext of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located in Lekki, Lagos, a claim the prosecution said she knew to be false.

She was also accused of fraudulently converting the same sum for personal use.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Following the plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.

The defence, however, informed the court that the charges were only served on the defendant on Thursday and noted that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application. Counsel subsequently requested that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of bail conditions.

The case was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.