EFCC arraigns Blessing CEO over fresh alleged N69.15m fraud, remands influencer

Social media influencer Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, known as Blessing CEO, was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of a N69.15 million fraud.

The influencer appeared before Justice R.A. Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday. She faced two counts: obtaining money by false pretence and theft.

Prosecution counsel C.C. Okezie urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, stating that the defendant had been duly served with the charge. Defence counsel Nkama Nneka informed the court that the charge had only recently been served. Justice Oshodi ruled that the arraignment should proceed in accordance with the law, after which the charges were read to the defendant.

The EFCC alleges that Blessing CEO induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to pay N69.15 million by claiming ownership of a property at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, which she purportedly leased to the company for five years. The agency says the representation was false and intended to defraud. The second count accuses her of dishonestly converting the N69.15 million belonging to the company for her personal use.

When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Okezie requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending her scheduled arraignment before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on June 10, 2026, related to another alleged fraud case.

Justice Oshodi remanded Blessing CEO in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of her bail application and the commencement of trial.

In a related development, Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, granted the influencer bail on Tuesday in a separate N36 million fraud case. The court admitted her to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum. One surety must be a family member and must provide proof of employment, Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and a valid phone number. The sureties are also required to submit a valid international passport, tax clearance certificates for the last two years, and six passport photographs. Blessing CEO had previously been arraigned by the EFCC on a two‑count charge involving an alleged N36 million fraud.

Vanguard News

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