Blessing CEO Faces Fresh N69.1 Million Fraud Charge, Remanded in EFCC Custody

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned social media influencer Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over a fresh N69.1 million fraud allegation, amid an ongoing N36 million fraud trial and a separate controversy surrounding her earlier claim of having stage four cancer and subsequent public fundraising. The anti-graft agency announced the fresh arraignment in a statement on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO was docked before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N69,150,000 (Sixty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

According to the EFCC’s statement, the first count of the charge reads: “That you, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, on or about March 21, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to confer a benefit of N69,150,000 (Sixty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) on you under the representation that the property located at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, belonged to you and was leased to the company for a period of five years, a representation you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(2) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.” The second count reads: “That you, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, on or about March 21, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N69,150,000 (Sixty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), being the property of Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited, thereby committing an offence of stealing contrary to Section 280(2) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.” Blessing CEO pleaded “not guilty” to both charges when they were read to her in court on Tuesday.

At the commencement of the proceedings, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, arguing that Blessing CEO had been duly served with the charge. However, Nkama Nneka, Blessing CEO’s counsel, argued that service of the charge on her client had only recently been effected. Justice Oshodi, in his ruling, held that the arraignment should proceed in accordance with the law, and the charges were subsequently read to the defendant. Following her not guilty plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending her scheduled arraignment before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on June 10, 2026, for another alleged fraud case. Justice Oshodi subsequently ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the hearing of her bail application and commencement of trial.

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The fresh charges came on the same day that Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, granted Blessing CEO bail in the sum of N10 million over a separate alleged N36 million fraud charge. Blessing CEO was initially arraigned on May 14, 2026, before Justice Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N36 million. The EFCC accused her of obtaining the money between July 14 and 17, 2024, from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, claiming she would secure a lease for a six-bedroom duplex at 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos. Justice Dipeolu granted bail with strict conditions: N10 million with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a family member and must provide proof of employment, a Bank Verification Number (BVN) , a National Identification Number (NIN) , and a valid phone number. The sureties must also submit a valid passport, tax clearance certificates for the last two years, and six passport photographs.

The trial in the N36 million case commenced on Friday, June 5, 2026, before Justice Dipeolu, with an EFCC investigator testifying that Blessing CEO obtained N36 million from her victim under false pretences. The first prosecution witness, Mrs. Bufa Okangbe, an investigator with the anti-graft agency, told the court that investigations revealed that Blessing CEO received a total of N36 million from the nominal complainant, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okoye, in connection with the lease of a property in Lekki, Lagos. While being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Suleiman Suleiman, the witness identified the defendant’s statement and other exhibits, including a lease agreement and bank records from Guaranty Trust Bank and Access Bank. Mrs. Okangbe explained that the defendant admitted to receiving payments from the complainant and that records indicated that N25 million was deposited into her Guaranty Trust Bank account in July 2024, and N11 million into her Access Bank account, totalling N36 million. She further testified that follow-up investigations traced several transactions after the funds were received, including transfers of N8 million to Thomas and Jumoke Osogun (the actual owners of the property), payments of N9 million, N900,000, and N2 million to her mother, Mrs. Lina Okoro, a transfer of N10 million to Kenneth Onuora, and a payment of N1.9 million to De Beauty City, Lekki. The witness further stated that investigations with the Lagos State Land Bureau confirmed that Thomas Osogun was the true owner of the property and that the defendant had only leased it for a period, with the initial lease expiring in 2023 before being renewed in 2025. Following the presentation of evidence, the defence requested an adjournment to gather more relevant documents. Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to June 22, 2026, for continuation of trial.

A few months ago, Blessing CEO had announced she had stage four cancer, prompting the public to crowdfund for her treatment. After raising a substantial sum of money estimated at around N36 million, she returned to normal life, a move that sparked reactions from those who had donated to her treatment. Social media activist Verydarkman (VDM) publicly called out Blessing CEO, demanding a refund of his donation. In an Instagram Live session, he stated: “Blessing CEO, my money is in your account. All these things you are saying that you don’t know whether you are stage 4 or not. It now appears you defrauded the public, which is a very serious crime. I have been busy since, but when I am ready, you will refund my money. You will learn the hard way.” Nollywood actress Georgina Onuoha also strongly criticized Blessing CEO, describing the situation as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.” She accused the influencer of misleading the public and engaging in “deliberate deception and financial exploitation.” Onuoha stated: “You told people you were critically ill and appealed to their empathy, and they responded with compassion and financial support. That is not a joke. That is deception.” She called on authorities, including the Nigeria Police Force and the EFCC, to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Blessing CEO now faces two separate criminal proceedings simultaneously. The first case involves the alleged N36 million fraud with an alleged offence date of July 14-17, 2024, being heard at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu. The trial is ongoing and bail has been granted in the sum of N10 million. The next hearing is scheduled for June 22, 2026. The victim in this case is Ifeyinwa Okoye, an individual, and the property involved is 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki. The second case involves the fresh N69.1 million fraud with an alleged offence date of March 21, 2025, being heard at the Special Offences Court, Ikeja before Justice R. A. Oshodi. Blessing CEO has been arraigned and remanded in EFCC custody, with her bail application hearing set for July 16, 2026. The victim in this case is Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited, a company, and the property involved is 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki.

Blessing CEO was arraigned on fresh N69.1 million fraud charges before Justice R. A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos on June 9, 2026. She pleaded not guilty to two counts of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing. The alleged fraud involves falsely representing ownership of a Lekki property to Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited. Justice Oshodi remanded her in EFCC custody pending her bail application hearing on July 16, 2026. In a separate N36 million fraud case, Justice Dipeolu granted her bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties. The N36 million trial commenced on June 5, 2026, with an EFCC investigator detailing how she allegedly received the money for a property she did not own. The trial continues on June 22, 2026, for further cross-examination. Blessing CEO had earlier claimed to have stage four cancer and raised funds from the public, prompting criticism from Verydarkman and Georgina Onuoha.

Blessing CEO Faces Fresh N69.1 Million Fraud Charge, Remanded in EFCC Custody

Abductions, Killings Are Sponsored to Undermine Tinubu’s Administration – Akpabio

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has alleged that recent cases of mass abductions and widespread killings across parts of Nigeria are being sponsored by individuals and groups aiming to undermine the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday during the commissioning of road projects in Abuja to mark President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office, where he praised the administration’s reforms and development projects.

According to him, critics who can no longer challenge the government on infrastructure delivery, economic reforms, petroleum sector changes and other policy achievements have resorted to sponsoring instability in order to discredit the administration.

“If you realise what is happening recently, when they realised that they can’t talk about projects, performance, good laws, transformation in the petroleum industry, subsidy removal that have been promised Nigerians for decades, they can no longer talk about the highrises in Abuja such as the NRS building, they resorted to paying young people and recruiting them to cause mayhem in the country,” he said.

The Senate President also alleged that terrorist and bandit groups are deliberately carrying out kidnappings to create the impression that Nigeria is unsafe, despite what he described as significant efforts by security agencies.

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He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and support security operations, stressing that criminal elements were attempting to destabilise the country for political and economic gain.

“Our men and women in uniform have done tremendously well, but many people will not know, and that is why I keep saying that the devil you see today, you will soon see them no more. Elections will come and go, elections will never be our end; we will see the end of elections; it will never see our end,” Akpabio said.

His comments come amid renewed national concern over rising insecurity, including recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in different parts of the country.

In Oyo State, suspected armed men abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area after attacking communities in the area. Reports indicate that dozens of victims remain in captivity as security operations continue.

Similarly, in Borno State, students were reportedly abducted in a separate incident, adding to growing fears over repeated attacks on educational institutions despite ongoing government security interventions.

The incidents have intensified public debate over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-kidnapping and counter-terrorism strategies, with calls for stronger intelligence-led operations and improved protection for vulnerable communities and schools.

While the Federal Government insists that security agencies are making progress in tackling banditry and terrorism, recent attacks have continued to raise concerns among citizens and stakeholders over the scale and persistence of insecurity across several regions of the country.

Abductions, Killings Are Sponsored to Undermine Tinubu’s Administration – Akpabio

“Can Anybody Stop Me?” — Ahmad Gumi Fires Back Over Ibadan Visit, Islamisation Claims

Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has responded forcefully to criticisms surrounding his visit to Ibadan last year, dismissing allegations that he was promoting the Islamisation of Oyo State or advancing northern religious ideologies in the South-West region of Nigeria. The cleric insisted that no individual or group could prevent him from travelling to any part of the country, stressing that his visit to Ibadan was not at the invitation of any Muslim organisation or individual in the South-West.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Gumi explained that he attended the event in his capacity as a representative of a coalition of northern Islamic scholars. He wrote, “I now understand how Islamophobia is shaping politics in the South-West and why I was dragged into local political controversies. I was in Ibadan not at the invitation of any South-West Muslim individual or group, but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama.” Gumi then posed a direct rhetorical question to his critics: “Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria? ” Describing the reactions to his visit as surprising, Gumi added, “It’s strange how some people think!” He further alleged that the controversy surrounding his visit was being orchestrated to deepen divisions within the country, stating, “I believe the whole saga is tele-guided by both foreign and local interests to promote a narrative and polarise the country.”

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi visited Ibadan on November 19, 2025, as a guest speaker at the Southern Nigerian Ulama Summit held at the University of Ibadan. During the visit, he also participated in a courtesy meeting attended by prominent Muslim scholars from both the northern and southern parts of the country. The visit sparked controversy in Oyo State, with critics questioning its purpose and expressing concerns about its religious and political implications. Some accused Gumi of attempting to promote northern Islamic ideologies and advance the Islamisation of Oyo State, allegations he has now dismissed as baseless.

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Gumi’s comments came a day after one of the victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State refuted reports that the kidnappers had demanded the introduction of Sharia law in the state as a condition for their release. The victim, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, who spoke from captivity in a video that later went viral, said the abductors neither demanded Sharia law nor a N1 billion ransom. According to her, the kidnappers sought the release of their associates currently in government custody. In the video recorded while in captivity, Mrs. Alamu stated: “Everyone, please I have come to make some clarifications. Today makes it the 24th day that we have been in this place and it seems that some people are making our problems complicated already.” She further clarified: “We have been here and we have not been forced to worship in an Islamic way. They have not troubled us concerning that. They are not asking for Sharia law. They are not asking for money.” She made an emotional appeal to Nigerians, saying: “Please, we are begging you. Don’t play politics with our lives. Nigerians, please help us circulate this. Let it go viral. They are not asking for Sharia law. It is not true. They are not asking for weapons. They are not asking for money.” According to her, the abductors’ only demand is “the release of some of their people” currently in government custody.

The claim regarding Sharia law demands was also rejected by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) , which described reports linking the abduction to demands for Sharia law as false. MURIC described the report as “a lie from the pit of Jahannam (hell)” and argued that the so-called demand was inserted by enemies of Islam in the negotiation team to tarnish the image of Islam. The organisation insisted that kidnapping, terrorism and extortion are contrary to the teachings of Islam and should not be justified under any religious guise. “Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” the organisation stated.

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The Muslim community in Oyo State has also strongly condemned the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by the abductors, stressing that the criminals do not represent Islam or the values of the Muslim faithful. In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the community described the kidnappers’ actions as criminal, inhumane, and completely contrary to the teachings of Islam. According to the statement, Islam unequivocally condemns kidnapping, terrorism, violence, and the exploitation of innocent people for personal gain. It noted that genuine Sharia principles promote justice, peace, compassion, and the sanctity of human life—values that stand in direct opposition to the actions of criminal groups. The community further emphasized that the protection of human life remains a fundamental principle of Islam, citing relevant teachings from the Holy Qur’an that uphold the dignity and security of every individual.

Aligning himself with MURIC’s position, Gumi suggested that the controversy surrounding both the abduction and his Ibadan visit reflected growing attempts to marginalise Islamic influence in South-West politics. His comments came amid renewed debate over his November 2025 visit to Ibadan, which drew criticism from some quarters that accused him of attempting to promote northern Islamic ideologies in the South-West. Gumi said he now understood “how Islamophobia is shaping politics” in the region and suggested that he had been unnecessarily drawn into local political disputes. He expressed confidence that his constitutional right to free movement across all 36 states of the federation remains protected, regardless of religious or regional considerations. His assertion — “Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?” — underscores the constitutional guarantee of movement that cannot be abridged by religious or regional considerations.

The controversy surrounding Gumi’s Ibadan visit and the Oriire abduction allegations highlights the broader debate about the role of religious figures in national discourse and the extent to which regional sensitivities should influence movement and engagement across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious landscape. Gumi’s allegations of Islamophobia shaping South-West politics suggest a growing perception among some northern Muslim leaders that their presence and activities in the region are being viewed with increasing suspicion. Nigeria’s constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of movement — a right Gumi has firmly asserted he will continue to exercise regardless of criticism. As the cleric himself put it, his position on the matter remains unchanged: no individual or group has the authority to determine where he can or cannot go within the borders of his own country.

“Can Anybody Stop Me?” — Ahmad Gumi Fires Back Over Ibadan Visit, Islamisation Claims