Blessing CEO Lands in EFCC Custody Over Alleged N36m Property Fraud

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of social media personality and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N36 million fraud case.

The influencer was arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and alleged stealing.

According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO allegedly collected N36 million from a complainant under the guise of facilitating a property lease transaction in Lekki, Lagos.

During proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that part of the money involved in the matter had already been refunded to the complainant.

“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.

Nwafor appealed for a short adjournment to allow both parties conclude discussions over the outstanding balance, adding that the complainant had indicated willingness to reconsider the matter if full repayment was made.

The prosecution counsel, however, opposed the request, insisting that the matter was ripe for arraignment and that any private settlement discussion could not halt criminal proceedings instituted by the Federal Government.

“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,” prosecution counsel Suleiman stated.

In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that negotiations between the defendant and the complainant could continue independently without affecting the court process.

“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.

The EFCC alleged that the defendant obtained the sum between July 14 and 17, 2024, from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye on the claim that she would secure a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki.

Prosecutors told the court that the representation later turned out to be false and accused the defendant of converting the funds for personal use.

One of the charges alleged that the offence contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, while the second count bordered on stealing under the Criminal Code Act.

Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand her pending trial and sought a date for commencement of hearing.

The defence counsel informed the court that the charge was only served on the defendant a day earlier and disclosed that a bail application was already being prepared. He subsequently requested that she remain in EFCC custody pending the hearing of the application.

Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.

The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for trial.