• Social media influencer Blessing CEO, was arraigned by the EFCC in Lagos over an alleged N36 million fraud case
• She faces a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged stealing
• The court ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of her bail application

Popular relationship therapist and social media influencer, Blessing CEO, whose real name is Okoro Nkiruka, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N36 million fraud case.

The EFCC disclosed on Friday, May 15, that the influencer was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and alleged stealing.

According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty after the charges were read in court.

During the proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had already refunded N24 million to the complainant and requested a brief adjournment to allow both parties settle the remaining balance.

“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24m out of the N36m,” the lawyer said.

He further added, “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.”

However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the submission, stressing that the Federal Government, not the petitioner, was the complainant in the case.

The prosecution maintained that it was unaware of any private arrangement between the defendant and the nominal complainant.

The court subsequently ruled that any settlement discussion between both parties would not stop the criminal proceedings and directed that the defendant’s plea be formally taken.

According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, Blessing CEO obtained N36 million from one Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye by falsely claiming she could secure a six-bedroom detached duplex in Lekki, Lagos.

The commission alleged that the influencer knew the representation was false at the time the money was collected.

Another count accused her of allegedly converting the funds to personal use.

Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.

The defence, however, appealed for her to remain in EFCC custody, arguing that she had only recently been served with the charges and was still processing her bail application.

Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.

The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Blessing CEO reacts to Alex Ekubo’s death, says ‘God will punish cancer’

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that controversial self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing CEO, had reacted emotionally to the reported death of Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, who reportedly died after battling stage 4 liver cancer.

Reacting via her Instagram page, Blessing CEO shared a photograph of the late actor alongside a short but emotional message condemning cancer and mourning his passing.

However, Blessing CEO had previously faced controversy over alleged stage 4 cancer claims, prompting calls for investigation by VeryDarkMan.