N36m Fraud: Court reserves ruling on Blessing CEO’s bail application

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday reserved ruling till June 9, 2026, on the bail application filed by social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO.

The defendant is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving N36 million.

The charges were filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the defendant urged the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, assuring the court that she would not abscond and was ready to stand trial.

Counsel to the EFCC, however, opposed the application and urged the court to exercise discretion judiciously in considering the request.

After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Dipeolu adjourned ruling on the bail application till June 9.

It would be recalled that the EFCC had on May 15, 2026, arraigned Nkiruka before the court over the alleged fraud.

During the arraignment proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million out of the N36 million allegedly obtained from the petitioner.

“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million.

“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,” he said.

Responding, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, maintained that the Federal Government of Nigeria remained the complainant in the matter.

“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 stated.

Ruling on the submission, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant would not affect the proceedings 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.

One of the charges alleged that the defendant, between July 14 and 17, 2024, obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.

According to the EFCC, the representation was false and known to be false by the defendant, who allegedly converted the money to personal use.

Nkiruka, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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

The defence counsel, however, informed the court that the defendant had only been served with the charge on May 14, 2026, adding that efforts were ongoing to file her bail application.

He consequently urged the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.

Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody before adjourning the matter till June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.