Nigerian social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist Blessing CEO has appeared before a federal court in Lagos over allegations of fraud involving 36 million naira.
Blessing CEO, whose legal name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency.
The defendant is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and alleged theft. Prosecutors accused her of fraudulently collecting 36 million naira from a businesswoman, Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, under the claim that she could secure a luxury property in one of Lagos’s affluent districts.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offence took place between 14 and 17 July 2024. Prosecutors told the court that Blessing CEO represented to the complainant that the money was required to secure a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency argued that the representation was false and designed to deceive the complainant into parting with the funds. The commission further alleged that the money was later converted for personal use, contrary to provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
During the hearing, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that his client had already refunded part of the disputed amount. He stated that Blessing CEO had repaid 24 million naira to the complainant and requested a brief adjournment to allow discussions over settlement of the outstanding balance.
“The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded ₦24m out of the ₦36m,” Nwafor told the court.
The lawyer also claimed that the complainant was willing to withdraw the matter once the remaining amount had been fully repaid. He appealed to the court for more time to facilitate reconciliation between the parties.
However, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the criminal proceedings could not be halted by a private arrangement between the defendant and the complainant.
“The complainant is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for arraignment,” Suleiman said. “We urge the court to allow the defendant to take her plea.”
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that any private discussions between the parties would not interfere with the judicial process. He stated that while the defendant was free to negotiate repayment with the complainant, such discussions had no bearing on the criminal charges before the court.
“The defendant can engage in discussions with the nominal complainant, but that does not affect the case before the court,” the judge ruled.
Blessing CEO subsequently pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial. Her lawyer, however, argued that the defence had only recently been served with the charges and therefore required additional time to prepare and file a formal bail application.
Nwafor requested that his client remain in EFCC custody while bail conditions were being considered, rather than being transferred immediately to a correctional centre.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
The case was adjourned until 5 June 2026, when the trial is expected to commence.