The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
During the court proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million out of the alleged N36 million to the petitioner and requested a short adjournment to settle the outstanding balance.
According to the defence, the nominal complainant had agreed to prevail on the EFCC to discontinue the matter if the balance was paid.However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, maintained that the Federal Government of Nigeria remained the complainant in the case and urged the court to proceed with the arraignment and plea.
Justice Dipeolu ruled that discussions between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not affect the proceedings and directed that the defendant take her plea.
One of the charges alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, Blessing CEO obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
Another count accused her of fraudulently converting the same amount, allegedly belonging to the complainant, for her personal use.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.Following the plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant to a correctional facility pending trial.
Defence counsel, however, told the court that the charge was only served on the defendant on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and noted that efforts were ongoing to file a bail application. He subsequently prayed the court to allow the defendant to remain in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody. The matter was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.
