Social Media Star Blessing CEO Remanded by EFCC Over Alleged N36M Fraud in Lagos

Self-styled relationship therapist and social media influencer, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N36 million fraud before the Federal High Court in Lagos. Blessing CEO was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing. According to the EFCC, the social media personality allegedly obtained N36 million from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the guise of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, in Lagos. During proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that his client had refunded N24 million to the petitioner and requested a short adjournment to allow both parties settle the outstanding balance. “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. He added that the complainant had indicated willingness to prevail on the EFCC to discontinue the case if the remaining balance was paid. However, prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, rejected the move, insisting that the anti-graft agency was not part of any private arrangement between the defendant and the petitioner. “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,” Suleiman said. Justice Dipeolu ruled that discussions between the defendant and the nominal complainant could continue independently without affecting the criminal proceedings. “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. One of the charges alleged that Blessing CEO fraudulently obtained N36 million between July 14 and 17, 2024, through false claims relating to the lease of the Lekki property. Another count accused her of fraudulently converting the same sum, said to belong to Mrs. Okoye, for personal use. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court for a trial date and requested that she be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial. But her lawyer told the court that the defence had only been served with the charge a day earlier and that efforts were ongoing to file a bail application. He subsequently urged the court to allow the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions. Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody. The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.