The influencer, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, was arraigned on Friday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice D.I. Dipeolu sitting in Ikoyi.
According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence and alleged theft of funds amounting to N36 million.
Court proceedings took a dramatic turn when defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, disclosed that efforts were already underway to settle the matter outside the courtroom. He informed the judge that his client had refunded a substantial part of the disputed sum to the petitioner.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million,” the lawyer said.
He further appealed for a short adjournment to allow both parties conclude discussions regarding the outstanding balance.
“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case,” Nwafor added.
However, prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the request, insisting that the EFCC was not involved in any private arrangement between the defendant and the petitioner.
“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.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Dipeolu maintained that any ongoing settlement talks would not interfere with the criminal proceedings already before the court.
“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.
Details of the charge revealed that Blessing CEO allegedly collected N36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024. The money was reportedly obtained under the guise of securing a lease for a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
The EFCC alleged that the representation made to the complainant was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The commission also accused the influencer of dishonestly converting the money for personal use, an offence said to be contrary to the Criminal Code Act.
When the charges were read in court, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested that she be remanded in a correctional facility pending the commencement of trial. Her lawyer, however, argued that the defence had only received the charge sheet a day earlier and was still preparing a formal bail application.
Nwafor subsequently appealed to the court to allow the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the social media influencer be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.
The case was thereafter adjourned until June 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial proceedings.