Alleged N36m Fraud: Blessing CEO Remanded In EFCC Custody

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand of social media personality and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N36 million fraud case.

Blessing CEO was arraigned before the court on Friday on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing involving N36 million.

During the proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had already refunded N24 million to the petitioner as part of efforts to settle the matter.

Nwafor urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable both parties to resolve the outstanding balance.

According to him, “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.”

However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the request, insisting that the Federal Government remained the complainant in the matter and that the court should proceed with the arraignment.

“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.

ADVERTISEMENT

In his ruling, Justice D.I. Dipeolu held that discussions between the defendant and the nominal complainant could continue independently without affecting the criminal proceedings before the court.

“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.

One of the charges alleged that Blessing CEO, between July 14 and 17, 2024, obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretext of securing a lease for a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos, a representation the prosecution claimed she knew to be false.

The charge stated that the alleged offence contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

When the charges were read to her, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty.

Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.

The defence, however, informed the court that the charge had only been served on the defendant on May 14 and that efforts were ongoing to file a bail application.

Nwafor subsequently requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing and perfection of her bail conditions.

Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO remain in EFCC custody.

The matter was thereafter adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.