The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday arraigned social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.

The defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing the sum of N36 million.

At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded part of the money to the petitioner.

According to him, Blessing CEO had refunded N24 million out of the N36 million allegedly involved in the matter.

“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,” the defence counsel said.

Responding, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, stated that the prosecution was not aware of any arrangement between the defendant and the nominal complainant.

“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 discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue while the case remained before the court.

“The defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court. The defendant will take her plea,” the judge ruled.

One of the charges alleged that Blessing CEO, between July 14 and 17, 2024, obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos, a representation the prosecution said she knew to be false.

The second count accused her of fraudulently converting the N36 million belonging to the complainant to her personal use.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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

However, defence counsel informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charge on Thursday, May 14, 2026, adding that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application.

He subsequently prayed the court to allow the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.

Justice Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody.

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