LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned social media influencer and self-described relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over an alleged ₦36 million (approximately $24,000) fraud case.
Nkiruka was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
Okay News reports that proceedings took a new turn after defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that part of the disputed money had already been refunded to the petitioner.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded ₦24 million out of the ₦36 million,” Nwafor said.
“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 added.
The prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, however, told the court that the Federal Government of Nigeria, not the petitioner, 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 said.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the petitioner could continue independently without affecting the court process.
“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 said.
