EFCC arraigns Blessing CEO over alleged N36m property fraud in Lagos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million to the petitioner and requested a short adjournment to enable both parties resolve the outstanding balance.
Nwafor told the court that the nominal complainant had agreed to prevail on the EFCC to discontinue the matter if the remaining balance was paid, but prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, insisted that the Federal Government remained the complainant and urged the court to proceed with the arraignment.
Justice D.I. Dipeolu ruled that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant would not affect the proceedings and directed that the defendant take her plea.
One of the charges alleged that Blessing CEO obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located in Lekki, Lagos State.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to her in court.
Following her plea, the court ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions and adjourned the matter till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
