The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned Blessing CEO, the social media influencer, for alleged N36 million fraud.
The Lagos zonal directorate 1 of the anti-graft agency brought the defendant, born Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, before D.I. Dipeolu of the federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretense and stealing.
At the arraignment, defense counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that Blessing CEO had already refunded N24 million of the alleged N36 million to Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, the petitioner.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” Nwafor said.
“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 objected, stating that the prosecution, representing the federal government, was not aware of any discussions between the defendant and the 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.
Dipeolu ruled that discussions between the defense and the complainant could continue even while the case was pending, adding that such talks would not affect court proceedings. He ordered that the defendant take her plea.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to both charges.
One of the counts alleges that between July 14 and 17, 2024, she obtained N36 million from the complainant under the false pretense of leasing a six-bedroom duplex in the Lekki area of Lagos, a representation she knew to be false.
Another count accuses her of fraudulently converting the same sum, property of Okoye, for her own use.
Following the not-guilty plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
The defense, however, requested that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody instead, noting that she was only served the charge on Thursday and that a bail application was being prepared.
Dipeolu granted the request, ordering that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.
The case has been adjourned to June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Blessing CEO has been in the eye of the storm since January when Blessing CEO announced she had cancer. She shared a purported medical report and solicited financial support.
However, Xinus Medical Diagnostics disputed the claim, alleging the report was altered and originally issued to Deborah Mbara in May 2025.
Mbara, a makeup artist and cancer survivor, later explained how Blessing allegedly obtained her report, prompting her family to petition the EFCC over alleged cyberbullying, forgery, and fraud.
The petition claimed Blessing raised over N300 million under false pretences, while the Nigerian Cancer Society also called for an investigation into the matter.
