Blessing CEO, a self-described relationship therapist and social media influencer, has been charged with N36 million fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1.
Judge D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, heard the Blessing CEO’s arraignment on Friday.
According to a statement posted on the anti-graft agency’s website, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, the CEO of Blessing, is accused of stealing N36 million and collecting money under false pretenses.
During the hearings, P.I. Nwafor, the defense attorney, informed the court that the defendant had already given the petitioner a portion of the money back.
“We need to submit an application. Out of the N36 million, the defendant reimbursed N24 million to the notional complaint.
In order to settle the outstanding balance, we are requesting a brief adjournment. According to the attorney, the nominal complainant agreed that they could get the EFCC to drop the matter if the remaining amount was paid.
However, S.I. Suleiman, the prosecuting attorney, claimed that the EFCC was not involved in any private settlement negotiations between the petitioner and the defendant.
We are present for the arraignment, and the Federal Government of Nigeria is the complaint. The business of the day is for the defendant to enter a plea, thus we strongly advise her to do so,” he stated.
According to Justice Dipeolu’s decision, any conversation between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not have an impact on the court’s criminal proceedings.
Even while the case is pending, talks between the defense and the nominal complainant are permitted. It has no bearing on the legal proceedings. The judge decided that the defendant would accept her plea.
The application was approved by Justice Dipeolu, who also mandated that Blessing CEO be placed under EFCC custody.
The trial was postponed until June 5, 2026.
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