Controversial social media personality and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as Blessing CEO, will continue to stay in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for a few more days following a court decision to delay ruling on her bail application.
Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, announced that the court would reserve its decision on the bail request until Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The ruling came after a heated court session in which both the defense and prosecution presented strong arguments regarding whether she should be granted temporary freedom while the trial proceeds.
Blessing CEO is facing a two-count criminal charge related to allegations of obtaining money under false pretenses and theft amounting to ₦36 million, a case that has drawn significant public attention.
Background of the Case: Disputed Property Transaction
The case against the social media influencer began when she was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on May 15, 2026. According to details contained in the charge sheet, the alleged offenses took place between July 14 and July 17, 2024, within the Lekki area of Lagos.
Prosecutors claim that Blessing CEO collected ₦36 million from a complainant, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye, under the pretense of securing a lease for a luxury six-bedroom detached house located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road in Lekki.
However, investigations revealed that she did not own the property and allegedly knew that the claim was false at the time the transaction was made. The EFCC further alleges that she diverted the funds for personal use after receiving the payment.
The charges fall under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006, which carries serious penalties if a conviction is secured.
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Court Proceedings: Clash Over Bail Application
During Friday’s proceedings, the courtroom witnessed a sharp exchange between legal representatives over the issue of bail.
Counsel to the defendant, P.I. Nwafuru, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. He emphasized that Blessing CEO had already refunded ₦24 million out of the disputed sum as part of efforts to resolve the matter, arguing that this demonstrated goodwill and reduced the risk of her evading trial.
On the other hand, the prosecution, led by S.I. Suleiman, strongly opposed the application. Suleiman relied on a detailed counter-affidavit submitted by EFCC investigator Bufa Regina Okangbe, which outlined concerns about the defendant’s conduct during the investigation.
According to the prosecution, Blessing CEO allegedly stopped responding to invitations from the EFCC at a certain point, raising fears that she could evade justice if released on bail. Based on this, the prosecution urged the court to deny bail entirely and instead proceed swiftly with the trial.
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Prosecution Opens Case with First Witness
Before arguments on the bail application were concluded, the prosecution formally opened its case by calling its first witness, EFCC investigator Bufa Regina Okangbe.
While testifying, Okangbe explained how investigators traced multiple bank accounts linked to the defendant through her Bank Verification Number. She also disclosed that inquiries were made with the Lagos State Land Bureau, which confirmed that the Lekki property at the center of the dispute did not belong to Blessing CEO.
This finding, according to the prosecution, directly contradicts the claims made to the complainant and strengthens the case against the defendant.
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Next Steps in the Trial
After entering a plea of not guilty to the charges, Blessing CEO was returned to EFCC custody, where she will remain pending the court’s decision on her bail request.
The case timeline continues to unfold as follows:
Arraignment on May 15
Commencement of trial and bail hearing on June 5
Scheduled bail ruling on June 9
Attention now shifts to the next court date, when Justice Dipeolu is expected to decide whether the influencer will be granted bail or remain in custody as the ₦36 million fraud trial progresses.
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