Popular social media influencer and relationship commentator Blessing Okoro, widely known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦36 million fraud case.
The influencer was brought before Justice D. I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Federal High Court, Ikoyi on Friday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the anti-graft agency.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO, whose full name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged theft involving ₦36 million. The commission alleged that the influencer fraudulently obtained the money from a petitioner, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, under the guise of securing a property lease in Lagos.
Court documents revealed that the alleged offence took place between July 14 and July 17, 2024. According to one of the charges, Blessing CEO allegedly collected ₦36 million while claiming she could facilitate the lease of a six-bedroom detached duplex located in Lekki, Lagos. The property was reportedly situated at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road.
The EFCC argued that the representation was false and constituted an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
A second charge accused her of unlawfully converting the funds to personal use, contrary to provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act.
During proceedings, defence counsel P. I. Nwafor informed the court that his client had already refunded ₦24 million to the petitioner. He requested a short adjournment to allow time to settle the outstanding balance, stating that the nominal complainant was open to resolving the matter if full payment was completed.
However, prosecuting counsel S. I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the matter was a criminal prosecution involving the Federal Government and not a private settlement issue.
He told the court that any discussions between the defendant and the petitioner could not override the legal process or halt arraignment.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu agreed with the prosecution, stating that private negotiations between both parties would not affect the criminal proceedings before the court. The judge ruled that the defendant must take her plea regardless of any ongoing settlement discussions.
Blessing CEO subsequently pleaded not guilty to both charges. Following her plea, the prosecution requested that she be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
Her defence counsel, however, informed the court that the charges were only served a day earlier and that the team was still preparing a formal bail application. He therefore asked that the defendant be temporarily remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that Blessing CEO remain in EFCC custody. The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The case has attracted widespread public attention given Blessing CEO’s large online following and high-profile presence in Nigeria’s social media and entertainment space.
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