The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned social media personality Blessing CEO before a Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N36 million fraud case.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, appeared before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Friday.
According to the EFCC, she is facing two charges bordering on alleged fraud and obtaining money under false pretence involving N36 million.
During the court session, her lawyer, P.I. Nwafor, informed the judge that part of the money involved in the case had already been returned to the complainant.
The defence counsel explained that Blessing CEO had refunded N24 million and requested a short adjournment to allow both parties settle the remaining balance.
He added that the complainant was willing to ask the EFCC to withdraw the case if the outstanding amount was paid.
The lawyer said, “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.”
However, EFCC prosecutor S.I. Suleiman argued that the anti-corruption agency was not involved in any private settlement 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,” he said.
Justice Dipeolu ruled that any ongoing settlement talks between both parties would not stop the criminal case from continuing in 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 collected N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and July 17, 2024, by claiming she could secure the lease of a six-bedroom duplex located on Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road in Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC claimed the representation was false and violated the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
She was also accused of converting the money for personal use, an offence said to be against the Criminal Code Act.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After her plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand her in a correctional centre while awaiting trial.
Her lawyer, however, said the defence team only received the charges on Thursday and was still preparing her bail application.
He then requested that she remain in EFCC custody until her bail conditions are perfected.
Justice Dipeolu approved the request and ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody.
The case was adjourned to June 5, 2026, for trial to begin
KanyiDaily recalls that the EFCC previously revealed why the agency has not arrested Blessing CEO despite the public backlash over her cancer saga.
