Controversial relationship therapist and social media personality, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦36 million fraud case.
The order was issued on Friday by Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, following her arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC.
Blessing CEO was brought before the court on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing involving ₦36 million.
During proceedings, her lawyer, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded ₦24 million to the petitioner and requested a short adjournment to allow both parties settle the outstanding balance.
According to the defence counsel, the complainant had indicated willingness to persuade the EFCC to discontinue the case once the remaining balance was paid.
However, prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, argued that the EFCC was not part of any settlement discussion between the defendant and the petitioner.
He maintained that the Federal Government was the complainant in the matter and urged the court to proceed with the arraignment and take the defendant’s plea.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu stated that discussions between the defence and the petitioner would not stop the court proceedings, stressing that the defendant must take her plea.
One of the charges alleged that Blessing CEO obtained ₦36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretence of securing a lease for a six-bedroom duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC claimed the representation was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Another charge accused her of fraudulently converting the ₦36 million belonging to the complainant for personal use, contrary to the Criminal Code Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and remand her in a correctional facility pending trial.
Her counsel, however, told the court that the defence had only received the charge a day earlier and was still processing her bail application. He therefore requested that she be kept in EFCC custody pending the perfection of bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO remain in EFCC custody until further proceedings.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
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