Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The trial of social media influencer and relationship therapist Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, was on Wednesday adjourned to July 20 after she was absent from proceedings at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Blessing CEO is facing prosecution by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a two-count charge of alleged obtaining by false pretence and theft involving N36 million.
During the resumed hearing before Justice D.I. Dipeolu, defence counsel P.I. Nwafuru told the court that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service informed him that his client was unwell and therefore unable to attend the hearing.
He consequently sought an adjournment, assuring the court that a medical report would be presented at the next sitting.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and adjourned the matter until Monday, 20 July 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
According to one of the charges, the defendant allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between 14 and 17 July 2024 under the pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC alleged that the representation was false and that Blessing CEO knew it to be so at the time of the transaction.
The anti-graft agency said the alleged offence contravenes Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
