EFCC charges CEO Blessing over alleged N36m fraud

The Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos on Friday charged a social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, (also known as Blessing CEO).

He was brought before Justice DI Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on suspicion of N36 million fraud.

Nkiruka was charged with two counts bordering on allegedly obtaining money under false pretenses and stealing the sum of N36 million.

At the start of the hearing, PI Nwafor’s attorney informed the court that the defendant had returned some of the money to the applicant.

“We had to file an application. The accused approached the nominal complainant and returned N24 million out of N36 million.

“We request a brief adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The complainant agrees that once the balance is paid, they can request the EFCC to dismiss the case,” he said.

Responding to this, the Public Prosecutor, SI Suleiman, stated that the prosecutor was not involved in any discussions between the defendant and the nominal reporter.

“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment. We urge that the accused consider his plea, because that is his business at the moment,” he said.
In his ruling, Judge Dipeolu stated that “the defense and the party who filed the complaint can discuss even while the charges are still pending. This does not affect the trial process in court. The defendant will accept his defense.”

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One of the charges reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between the 14th and 17th of July 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, obtained the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty Six Million Naira) from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretense of renting a separate six bedroom duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Road, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State, whose statement you know to be false, and thereby you committed an offense contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006.”

Another count reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between the 14th and 17th of July 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, fraudulently converted for your own use the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty Six Million Naira), belonging to Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Nigerian Federation, 2004.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
Following his plea, Suleiman moved for a trial date and prayed that the court return the defendant to the correctional facility pending trial.

However, the defendant’s attorney informed the court that the defendant had only been arraigned on Thursday, May 14 2026, and efforts were being made to apply for bail.

He, therefore, prayed that the accused be returned to EFCC custody pending his bail conditions being perfected.
Judge Dipeolu granted the application and ordered that the accused be returned to EFCC custody.

The hearing was adjourned until June 5, 2026 for the start of the trial