Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has fixed June 9, 2026to rule on the bail application filed by social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over her ongoing N36 million fraud case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, noted in a statement that the ruling date was announced after proceedings held on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Blessing CEO is being prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
The EFCC had earlier arraigned her before the court over the alleged offences.
At the previous hearing, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, told the court that part of the money involved in the matter had already been refunded.
“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,” the lawyer said.
But EFCC counsel, S.I. Suleiman, said the commission was not part of any settlement discussion between the defendant and the petitioner.
“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,” he said.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Dipeolu held that any discussion between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not stop the criminal proceedings.
“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.
The court thereafter ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
The matter, which had earlier been adjourned for commencement of trial, will now continue on June 9, 2026, when the court is expected to rule on her bail application.
