EFCC Arraigns Blessing CEO Over Alleged N36m Fraud

Popular social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, was on Friday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud involving a property lease transaction.

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought the defendant before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing, according to a statement published on the EFCC’s official website.

The prosecution alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, Blessing CEO obtained N36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State. A second count accused her of fraudulently converting the funds to personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act. Both charges are brought under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Before her plea was taken, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that his client had already refunded N24 million of the alleged N36 million to the petitioner and sought a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance.

“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,” Nwafor told the court.

Prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman firmly opposed the application, clarifying that the anti-graft agency was not a party to any private settlement arrangement.

“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.

Justice Dipeolu sided with the prosecution, ruling that any arrangement between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not interrupt court proceedings.

“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.

Blessing CEO subsequently entered a plea of not guilty to both charges.

Following her plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial. Her counsel, however, noted that the defence had only been served the charges the previous day and was still preparing a bail application, requesting instead that she be held in EFCC custody pending the perfection of bail conditions.

Justice Dipeolu granted the application. The matter was adjourned to June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.