Eli Obaje
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned social media influencer Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. She appeared before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos over an alleged N69,150,000 fraud.
Nkiruka faces a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing. The prosecution alleges she defrauded Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited of N69.15 million. 
At the start of proceedings, EFCC counsel C.C. Okezie asked the court to proceed with the arraignment. He argued that the defendant had already been served with the charge.
Defence counsel Nkama Nneka objected, telling the court that service of the charge was only recently completed. She asked for more time before the plea could be taken.
Justice Oshodi ruled that the arraignment should go ahead under the law. The charges were then read to Nkiruka in open court.
Count one accuses her of inducing the clinic on March 21, 2025 to pay N69.15 million. The EFCC says she falsely claimed ownership of a property at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, and leased it to the company for five years.
Count two alleges she dishonestly converted the same N69.15 million to her own use. The offence is said to violate Section 280(2) and is punishable under Section 287 of the Lagos Criminal Law, 2015.
Nkiruka pleaded “not guilty” to both counts when they were read to her. The prosecution then asked for a trial date and requested that she be remanded in EFCC custody.
Justice Oshodi remanded her in EFCC custody and adjourned the case till July 16, 2026. That date is set for hearing her bail application and for trial to begin. The remand will also cover her scheduled arraignment at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi on June 10, 2026 for another alleged fraud.
In a related matter on the same day, Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi granted Nkiruka bail in a separate N36 million fraud case. Bail was set at N10 million with two sureties. One surety must be a family member with proof of employment, BVN, NIN, phone number, international passport, two years’ tax clearance, and six passport photos.
