Social media influencer and relationship coach, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N69.15 million fraud.
According to the anti-graft agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewole, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC arraigned her on Tuesday before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
At the commencement of proceedings, EFCC counsel, C.C. Okezie, urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, arguing that the defendant had been duly served with the charges. Defence counsel, Nkama Nneka, however, informed the court that service had only recently been effected.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that the arraignment should proceed in line with the law, after which the charges were read to the defendant.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO allegedly induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to part with N69.15 million by claiming ownership of a property located at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, Lagos, and leasing it to the company for a five-year period, a representation the prosecution said was false.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that she dishonestly converted the N69.15 million, said to belong to the company, to her personal use.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand her in EFCC custody pending her scheduled arraignment before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on June 10 in another fraud case.
Justice Oshodi subsequently remanded the defendant in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of her bail application and commencement of trial.
In a related development, Justice Alexander Owoeye Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, granted Blessing CEO bail on Tuesday in a separate N36 million fraud case.
The court admitted her to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a family member and is required to provide proof of employment, Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), a valid phone number, international passport, tax clearance certificates for the past two years and six passport photographs.
The influencer is also facing trial in that case on separate allegations of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving N36 million.
