The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, has arraigned social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Blessing CEO, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to a statement published on the EFCC’s website, the influencer is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and the alleged stealing of N36 million.
During proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had already refunded part of the money to the petitioner.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million.
“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,” the lawyer said.
However, the prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, maintained that the anti-graft agency was not involved in any private settlement 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 told the court.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that any discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not affect the ongoing 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.
The court subsequently granted the application and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
