By Peter Omopo
Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has remanded social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle on Friday.
According to the anti-graft agency, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC arraigned the defendant on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N36 million.
The commission alleged that Blessing CEO obtained the money from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretext of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
At the commencement of proceedings, counsel to the defendant, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that his client had refunded N24 million out of the N36 million to the petitioner.
He urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable both parties resolve the outstanding balance, adding that the nominal complainant had indicated willingness to prevail on the EFCC to withdraw the matter if the balance was paid.
Responding, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, said the prosecution was unaware of any agreement between the defendant and the nominal complainant, stressing that the Federal Government was the complainant in the case and that the day’s business was for the defendant to take her plea.
Justice Dipeolu ruled that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue during the pendency of the case and directed that the defendant should take her plea.
The court heard that the alleged offences were committed between July 14 and 17, 2024.
One of the charges stated that the defendant allegedly obtained N36 million by false pretence, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Another charge accused her of fraudulently converting the sum to personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution applied for a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
Defence counsel, however, informed the court that the charge had only been served on the defendant on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and that efforts were ongoing to perfect her bail application.
He subsequently prayed that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
