Court Reserves Ruling on Blessing CEO’s Bail Application in N36m Fraud Case

Court Reserves Ruling on Blessing CEO’s Bail Application in N36m Fraud Case

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has reserved ruling on the bail application filed by social media influencer and relationship therapist Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, who is facing trial over an alleged N36 million fraud. Justice D.I. Dipeolu fixed June 9, 2026, for ruling on the application after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence on Friday, June 5, 2026. The judge adjourned the matter after listening to submissions relating to the bail request.

Blessing CEO is being prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N36 million. She has pleaded not guilty to the allegations. According to the anti-graft agency, the case stems from allegations that the defendant obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and July 17, 2024, under the false pretence of securing the lease of a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos. The EFCC further alleged that the representation was false and that the money was subsequently converted for personal use.

Blessing CEO was first arraigned on May 15, 2026, before Justice Dipeolu. At the commencement of proceedings during her arraignment, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that his client had already refunded N24 million of the disputed amount to the petitioner. He requested a short adjournment to allow for settlement of the outstanding N12 million balance, adding that the nominal complainant had agreed that if the balance was paid, they could prevail on the EFCC to drop the case. However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the request, arguing that any arrangement between the defendant and the petitioner would not affect the criminal proceedings before the court. “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.

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In his ruling at the arraignment, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between both parties could continue independently without affecting the criminal process. “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. After Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges, the prosecution applied for a trial date and prayed the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial. However, the defendant’s counsel informed the court that his client had only been served with the charge on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application. He, therefore, prayed that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions, a request Justice Dipeolu granted. The matter was then adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

One of the charges against Blessing CEO reads: “That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did obtain the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira) from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex situated at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State, which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.” Another count accuses her of “fraudulently converting to your own use the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira), property of Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

The case has drawn significant public attention, given Blessing CEO’s status as a prominent social media personality and relationship therapist. Following her arraignment, the influencer surfaced online with a video appealing to Nigerians to keep her in their prayers. “Keep me in your prayers. It will end in praise,” she said. Weeks before her arraignment, the influencer had announced that she had stage four cancer and sought donations from well-meaning Nigerians. The EFCC disclosed the latest development in a statement on Friday, noting that the court had adjourned for a decision on the bail application. Further proceedings in the matter are expected to continue after the court delivers its ruling on the bail application on June 9, 2026.

Court Reserves Ruling on Blessing CEO’s Bail Application in N36m Fraud Case