Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned social media influencer Blessing CEO before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud case.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was brought before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on Friday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the anti-graft agency. She is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged theft of N36 million.
According to the EFCC, the charges stem from allegations that between July 14 and 17, 2024, the social media personality obtained N36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the guise of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located in Lekki, Lagos. Investigators alleged that the property transaction was fraudulent and that the representation made to the complainant was false.
During proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor told the court that the defendant had already refunded N24 million to the petitioner and was making efforts to settle the outstanding balance.
He requested a short adjournment to allow both parties resolve the issue amicably, noting that the nominal complainant had indicated willingness to withdraw the matter if the remaining sum was paid.
However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the case was no longer a private dispute. He argued that the complainant in the matter was the Federal Government of Nigeria, not the individual petitioner, and urged the court to proceed with arraignment.
Justice Dipeolu ruled that any settlement discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not stop criminal proceedings. He held that such negotiations could continue alongside the trial and directed that the defendant take her plea.
One of the charges stated that Blessing CEO allegedly obtained the money by falsely claiming she could lease the duplex at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki. Another charge accused her of converting the funds to personal use, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Code Act and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested that she be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial. Her lawyer, however, said the defence had only been served with the charges on Thursday and was still preparing her bail application.
He subsequently asked that she remain in EFCC custody pending the perfection of bail conditions.
The court granted the application and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody. The case was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
