Social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, appeared on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and alleged stealing.
During the hearing, defence lawyer P.I. Nwafor told the court the defendant had refunded part of the money.
“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,” the lawyer said.
But EFCC prosecutor S.I. Suleiman pushed back, saying the agency was not involved in any settlement talks.
“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 private talks would not stop the case.
“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.
The court ordered Blessing CEO remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned the case till June 5, 2026, for trial.
