EFCC Arraigns Blessing CEO Over Alleged N36m Fraud

• The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned social media influencer and relationship therapist Blessing CEO over alleged fraud involving N36 million.

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned popular social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Blessing CEO, over an alleged N36 million fraud case.

Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to the anti-graft agency, the influencer is facing a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing of N36 million.

During the court proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had already refunded part of the money to the petitioner.

“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.

“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,” he added.

However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman argued that the Federal Government, represented by the EFCC, was not involved in any private settlement arrangement between the parties.

“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 stated.

In his ruling, Justice 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.

According to one of the charges, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.

The EFCC alleged that the representation was false and constituted an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Another charge accused her of fraudulently converting the money to personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Following her plea, the prosecution requested that she be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.

Her counsel, however, informed the court that the defence had only been served with the charges on Thursday and was still preparing a bail application.

The defence subsequently requested that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.

Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the social media influencer be remanded in EFCC custody.

The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.