Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, May 15, 2026, arraigned a social media influencer and self‑styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud. The defendant was brought to court on a two‑count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing, to the tune of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty‑six Million Naira). She pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to her.
The first count of the charge alleges that Blessing CEO, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six‑bedroom detached duplex situated at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State. The prosecution stated that the defendant knew the representation to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The second count charges the defendant with fraudulently converting the same sum to her own use, an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Before the defendant took her plea, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that his client had 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,” he said. The prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, responded that the prosecution was not privy to any discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant. “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,” he said.
Justice Dipeolu, in his ruling, held that the defence and the nominal complainant could continue discussions even while the charge is pending. “It does not affect the proceedings before the court. The defendant will take her plea,” the judge ruled. After the defendant pleaded not guilty, the prosecution applied for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial. The defence counsel informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charge on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and that efforts were ongoing to file a formal bail application. He, therefore, prayed that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody rather than a prison facility while the bail application is prepared.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of her bail application and the commencement of trial. The matter was adjourned to June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Blessing CEO is a well‑known figure on social media, where she built a reputation as a relationship therapist and commentator on marital issues. She has frequently appeared in online debates and has been involved in several high‑profile controversies. Her legal troubles began after a petitioner, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, alleged that the influencer defrauded her of N36 million under the guise of leasing a luxury duplex in the upscale Lekki area of Lagos. The property, according to the charge sheet, was described as a six‑bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki. The complainant claimed that the defendant collected the money but never delivered the property, and all attempts to recover the funds failed.
The case has attracted significant media attention due to Blessing CEO’s public profile and the involvement of a substantial sum of money. Her followers on social media have expressed shock at the allegations, while critics have seized the opportunity to question the credibility of online influencers who monetise relationships and lifestyle content. The EFCC has urged the public to be cautious when engaging with online personalities who promise goods or services in exchange for large sums of money, especially when such transactions involve real estate or other high‑value assets.
Blessing CEO is not the first social media influencer to be prosecuted by the EFCC for fraud. In recent years, the commission has intensified its crackdown on online fraudsters, romance scammers, and influencers who use their platforms to deceive unsuspecting members of the public. The EFCC has also warned that it will not spare any individual, regardless of their fame or social media following, if they are found to have engaged in economic and financial crimes.
As the case continues, the court will determine whether Blessing CEO is guilty of the alleged offences. The defendant has maintained her innocence, and her legal team has indicated that they will file a formal bail application before the next hearing. For now, she remains in EFCC custody, a development that has sent shockwaves through the online influencer community in Nigeria.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments