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A popular social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, was on Friday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud linked to a luxury property transaction.

The defendant was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the anti-graft agency on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and alleged stealing of N36 million.

The case, which drew attention at the court sitting presided over by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, centres on allegations that the influencer fraudulently obtained funds from a petitioner under the guise of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex in Lekki, Lagos.

At the commencement of proceedings, counsel to the defendant, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that his client had refunded N24 million to the petitioner and appealed for a short adjournment to allow parties resolve the outstanding balance amicably.

According to him, discussions were ongoing between the defendant and the nominal complainant, adding that the complainant had indicated willingness to persuade the EFCC to discontinue the matter upon full repayment.

However, prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the request, insisting that the Federal Government of Nigeria remained the complainant in the matter and that the business before the court was the arraignment of the defendant.

“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,” Suleiman told the court.

In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue independently without affecting the criminal proceedings before the court.

The court subsequently directed the defendant to enter her plea.

One of the charges alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, the defendant obtained N36 million from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a property located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.

The prosecution further alleged that the representation was false and constituted an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

In a separate count, the EFCC accused the defendant of fraudulently converting the said sum to personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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

Defence counsel, however, argued that the defendant had only been served with the charges a day earlier and disclosed that efforts were ongoing to perfect her bail application.

He consequently appealed to the court to allow the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending the hearing of the bail application.

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

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