EFCC Charges Social Media Influencer and Blessing CEO with N36m Fraud in Lagos Court

Wale Igbintade

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), located on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, arraigned social media influencer and relationship therapist Okoro Blessing Nkiruka—known as Blessing CEO—before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday. The arraignment concerned an alleged fraud of N36 million.

She faced two counts: one for obtaining money by false pretence and another for stealing, both relating to the N36 million in question.

At the start of the proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had already refunded part of the alleged proceeds to the nominal complainant.

“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” he said.

He added that negotiations were underway to settle the remaining balance.

“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case,” he said.

Prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman countered, stating that the EFCC was not aware of any settlement talks.

“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,” he said.

Justice Dipeolu ruled that settlement discussions could continue while the charge remained pending.

“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 said.

One charge alleges that the defendant obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between 14 and 17 July 2024, claiming to lease a six‑bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos, a property she knew was not available.

The second charge claims that she fraudulently converted the same sum for personal use, an offence described as contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After her plea, the prosecution requested that the court set a trial date and remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.

Defence counsel noted that the defendant had only been served with the charge the previous day and that a bail application was being prepared.

He therefore asked the court to remand her in EFCC custody until bail conditions were finalized.

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

The case was adjourned until 5 June 2026 for the commencement of trial.