The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday, May 15, arraigned self-acclaimed relationship therapist Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged ₦36 million fraud case.
According to a statement released by the EFCC, Blessing CEO was charged on two counts bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing involving ₦36 million.
During the court proceedings, her lawyer, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had already refunded ₦24 million to the petitioner and requested a short adjournment to settle the remaining balance.
“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,” he said
However, prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman argued that the Federal Government was the complainant in the matter and insisted that the arraignment should proceed.
“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.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu stated that any discussion between the defendant and the complainant would not stop the legal proceedings.
One of the charges against Blessing CEO reads:
“That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did obtain the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira) from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex situated at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State, which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Another count reads:
“That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently converted to your own use the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira), property of Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
Blessing CEO pleaded “not guilty” after the charges were read in court.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.
Her lawyer, however, explained that the defence had only received the charges on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and requested that she remain in EFCC custody while efforts to perfect her bail application continue.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
The case was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.