The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
The anti-graft agency accused the defendant of allegedly obtaining N36 million from a petitioner under false claims linked to a property transaction.
According to one of the charges, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from a complainant between July 14 and July 17, 2024, under the pretext of securing a lease for a six-bedroom detached duplex in Lekki, Lagos. Another charge accused the defendant of unlawfully converting the money to personal use.
During proceedings, counsel to the defendant informed the court that his client had refunded N24 million out of the N36 million and appealed for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. He added that the complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they could prevail on the EFCC to drop the case.
However, prosecuting counsel opposed the request, maintaining that the complainant is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and urged that the defendant take her plea.
Justice Dipeolu held that any private discussion between the defendant and the petitioner would not interfere with the criminal proceedings before the court, and ordered the defendant to take her plea.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following her plea, the court ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of bail conditions. The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
