The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist Blessing CEO over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was arraigned on Friday 15th May 2026 before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged stealing of N36 million.
According to the EFCC, she allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretence of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located in Lekki, Lagos. The anti-graft agency said the representation was false and contrary to the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. She was also accused of converting the funds for personal use, contrary to the Criminal Code Act.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to both charges.
During proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that his client had already refunded part of the money to the petitioner. “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, prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman firmly opposed the request, stressing that the EFCC was not a party to any private settlement. “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 held that any discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not affect the criminal proceedings before the court.
According to Vanguard, Justice Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions. The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Friday’s arraignment is not the only legal fire Blessing CEO is currently battling. The self-styled relationship therapist has also been embroiled in a separate and more explosive controversy after claiming on social media that she had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer and appealing to followers for financial support.
A formal petition dated April 8, 2026, filed by the family of Mrs. Mbara Deborah through their law firm, accused Blessing CEO of altering Deborah’s medical reports to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians of over N300 million, alleging that she used her massive social media influence to monetise Deborah’s health crisis under false pretences.
Vanguard reports that the petition was received and stamped at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
