Popular Nigerian social media personality, Okoro Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N36 million fraud case.
The anti-graft agency disclosed on Friday that the influencer was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and alleged stealing.
According to the commission, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to her in court.
During the proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had already refunded N24 million to the complainant and requested a short adjournment to allow discussions on settling the outstanding balance.
The defence further told the court that the complainant was willing to appeal to the EFCC to discontinue the matter if the remaining sum was paid.
However, prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the Federal Government was the complainant in the case and that the prosecution was not part of any private arrangement between the defendant and the petitioner.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently ruled that any settlement discussion between both parties would not stop the criminal proceedings and directed that the defendant’s plea be taken.
The EFCC alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, the influencer fraudulently obtained N36 million from one Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye by claiming she could secure the lease of a six-bedroom detached duplex in Lekki, Lagos — a representation the agency said she knew to be false.
The commission also accused her of converting the money to personal use.
Following her arraignment, the prosecution sought a trial date and requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
Defence counsel, however, appealed for her to remain in EFCC custody, arguing that she had only recently been served with the charges and was still processing her bail application.
The court granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
