The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned social media influencer and relationship therapist Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Blessing CEO was arraigned before Deinde Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining of money by false pretence and stealing involving ₦36 million.
At the start of proceedings, defence counsel P. I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had refunded part of the money to the nominal complainant.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” Nwafor 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.”
Responding, prosecution counsel Suleiman I. Suleiman stated that the prosecution was not aware of any settlement discussions between the defendant and 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,” he said.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue while court proceedings remained ongoing.
“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 ₦36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the false representation that she could secure a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
The prosecution 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 the defendant of fraudulently converting the ₦36 million, said to belong to Mrs Okoye, for personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to both charges.
Following the plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, defence counsel informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charge on May 14, 2026, and that efforts were underway to file 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 defendant remain in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
