By SCM Correspondent l May 15, 2026
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned popular social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as “Blessing CEO,” before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi over an alleged ₦36 million fraud.
Nkiruka was brought before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of ₦36,000,000.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant allegedly obtained the sum from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The prosecution stated that the offence contravenes Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 383, punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
When the charges were read to her, the defendant pleaded “not guilty.”
Partial Refund and Out-of-Court Tensions
At the commencement of the proceedings, defense counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that his client had already made attempts to resolve the matter by refunding a significant portion of the money to the petitioner.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded ₦24 million out of the ₦36 million,” Nwafor stated. “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, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, distanced the commission from the settlement talks, arguing that the state was the primary aggrieved party in the criminal matter.
“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 countered.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Dipeolu maintained that out-of-court discussions do not halt the wheels of justice.
“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.
Remand and Next Hearing
Following Nkiruka’s “not guilty” plea, the prosecution requested a formal trial date and prayed the court to remand the influencer in a Correctional facility.
In opposition, the defense counsel noted that they had only received the official charges on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and were actively working on filing a bail application. Nwafor subsequently prayed the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody instead of a correctional centre pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the defense’s request and ordered that Nkiruka be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.
The matter has been adjourned till June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
