The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Nkiruka was brought before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing. According to the EFCC, the alleged offences involved the sum of N36 million said to belong to Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye.
At the commencement of proceedings, counsel to the defendant, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that his client had already refunded N24 million to the petitioner. He appealed for a short adjournment to allow both parties resolve the outstanding balance, adding that the nominal complainant was willing to prevail on the EFCC to discontinue the matter once full payment was made.
However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the request, insisting that the Federal Government of Nigeria remained the complainant in the case and that the court should proceed with the arraignment. Suleiman told the court that the prosecution was not aware of any private arrangement between the defendant and the petitioner.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue despite the pending charges, stressing that such negotiations would not affect the legal proceedings before the court. The judge subsequently directed that the defendant take her plea.
One of the charges alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, Nkiruka obtained N36 million from Mrs. Okoye under the false pretence of securing a lease for a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos. Another charge accused her of fraudulently converting the money to personal use. The defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial. Defence counsel, however, argued that the charge had only been served on May 14, 2026, and asked that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the filing and perfection of her bail application. Justice Dipeolu granted the request and adjourned the matter until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
