Picnews
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, arraigned popular social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, over a fresh alleged N69.15 million fraud. She appeared before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO allegedly induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to pay her N69,150,000 for a five-year lease of a property at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki. She reportedly represented that she owned the property and could lease it to the company. The anti-graft agency says that representation was false and made with intent to defraud. The transaction occurred on or about March 21, 2025, in Lagos.
The second count accuses her of dishonestly converting the N69.15 million to her personal use, an offence of stealing contrary to Section 280(2) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Count one falls under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, which carries up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction.
At the commencement of proceedings, prosecution counsel C.C. Okezie urged the court to proceed, stating the defendant had been duly served with the charge. Defence counsel Nkama Nneka told the court that service had only recently been effected. Justice Oshodi ruled that the arraignment should proceed in accordance with the law, after which the charges were read to Blessing CEO.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to both charges. Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending another scheduled arraignment before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on June 10, 2026, in a separate fraud case. Justice Oshodi remanded her in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for hearing of her bail application and commencement of trial.
This N69.1m case is not her first encounter with the EFCC. Blessing CEO was earlier arraigned on May 15, 2026, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, over an alleged N36 million fraud. In that separate matter, she was granted N10 million bail on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, with two sureties. One surety must be a family member and provide proof of employment, BVN, NIN, valid international passports, and tax clearance for two years.
The EFCC says it remains committed to prosecuting financial crimes and ensuring accountability. The Commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 is handling both cases. Blessing CEO, who commands a large following for her relationship advice content, now faces two active trials involving a combined N105.15 million in alleged fraud. The court has set July 16, 2026, as the next date for the N69.15m case, where arguments on bail and trial will begin.
