Popular social media influencer, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦69.15 million fraud.
The controversial internet personality appeared before Justice R. A. Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Tuesday.
She faces a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and stealing, adding to her mounting legal troubles.
The prosecution, led by C. C. Okezie, pushed for the arraignment to proceed despite arguments from defence counsel, Nkama Nneka, that the charges were only recently served.
Justice Oshodi ruled in favour of the prosecution, allowing the court to read the charges to the defendant.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO allegedly defrauded Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited of ₦69.15 million by falsely claiming ownership of a property in Lekki, Lagos, which she purportedly leased to the company for five years, subsequently converting the funds to her personal use.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to both counts. Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the influencer in EFCC custody.
This request was tied to a separate, upcoming arraignment scheduled for June 10, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where she faces additional fraud allegations.
Justice Oshodi subsequently ordered her remand in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter until July 16, 2026, for the bail hearing and the commencement of trial.
In a simultaneous legal development, Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi granted the influencer bail on Tuesday regarding a separate ₦36 million fraud case.
In that distinct matter, she had previously been arraigned by the anti-graft agency on similar charges of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.
To secure her temporary freedom in the ₦36 million case, the court admitted her to bail in the sum of ₦10 million with two sureties in like sum.
The bail conditions require one surety to be a family member with verified employment, a Bank Verification Number (BVN), and a National Identification Number (NIN).
Additionally, the sureties must submit valid international passports, tax clearance certificates for the last two years, and six passport photographs.
Despite this bail ruling, she remains in custody following the Ikeja court’s remand order.
