Blessing CEO remanded in EFCC custody over alleged ₦36m property fraud

Social media influencer Blessing CEO has been remanded in EFCC custody following her arraignment on a ₦36 million fraud charge involving a disputed property deal in Lekki, Lagos.

Social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, was arraigned on Friday before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged ₦36 million fraud. The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented a two-count charge against her, bordering on obtaining money by false pretense and alleged theft. According to the prosecution, the influencer obtained the sum from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of securing a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos—a representation the agency claims was false and violated the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.

During the proceedings, Blessing CEO pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, while her defense counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that a significant portion of the funds had already been returned. “We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded ₦24 million out of the ₦36 million,” Nwafor stated, adding that the complainant was willing to withdraw the case once the balance was settled. However, the prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, countered that the EFCC was not party to any private settlement, asserting that “the complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment.”

Presiding judge Justice D.I. Dipeolu ruled that private discussions between the parties would not halt the criminal proceedings, stating that “it does not affect the proceedings before the court.” Following the plea, the court ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing and determination of her bail application. The case has been adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of the trial, leaving the influencer in the custody of the anti-graft agency as the legal process unfolds.

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