A Lagos-based doctor has accused social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, of falsely presenting herself as the owner of a property for which he allegedly paid N69.15 million.
Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, the prosecution’s first witness, made the allegation on Monday while being cross-examined by defence counsel at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, where the defendant is standing trial before Justice Rahman Oshodi.
Okeigwe told the court that he relied on representations allegedly made by Blessing CEO through WhatsApp conversations and physical interactions before making the payment for the property.
The witness maintained that he had submitted evidence to support his allegation, despite questions from the defence regarding the transaction documents and the legal basis of his claims.
Responding to questions about his understanding of the documents, Okeigwe said he was a doctor of chiropractic rather than a lawyer and did not understand legal terminology.
He, however, insisted that his allegation was supported by materials presented before the court, including communications and documents relating to the property transaction.
“Blessing presented herself, claiming to be the owner of the property, and falsely collected money from me. She impersonated the owner of the property,” he said.
The witness explained that his communications with the defendant took place both before and after the payment, disputing the suggestion that his claims depended solely on WhatsApp messages.
When asked whether the defendant had explicitly told him in the messages that she owned the property, Okeigwe said the alleged representations extended beyond their online exchanges.
He also referred to documents obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), alongside other materials he said he had submitted in support of his case.
Okeigwe disagreed with defence counsel’s suggestion that Exhibit C was the only evidence he had tendered, maintaining that additional materials had been presented to the court.
Doctor Seeks More Than N100m in Separate Civil Suit
Beyond the criminal proceedings, Okeigwe disclosed that he had instituted a separate civil suit against Blessing CEO to recover money allegedly spent renovating the property.
He told the court that the renovation expenses exceeded N100 million, explaining that the work was undertaken to adapt the premises for a medical facility he intended to establish there.
The witness distinguished between the two legal actions, stating that the criminal case concerned the alleged payment of N69.15 million for the property, while the separate civil suit sought recovery of the renovation costs and damages.
The testimony adds another dimension to the dispute, with the alleged property payment forming the basis of the criminal charges and the renovation expenses being pursued through separate civil proceedings.
EFCC Charges Blessing CEO With Obtaining Money by False Pretence
Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving N69.15 million.
She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The allegations remain before the court, and the witness’s statements constitute testimony presented by the prosecution rather than a judicial determination of the defendant’s guilt.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until January 12, 2027, to allow the prosecution to call additional witnesses as the trial continues.