The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday commenced the trial of Nkeiruka Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, a TikTok influencer and self-styled relationship expert, over allegations of defrauding N36 million.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the defendant in May before Justice Isaac Dipeolu on two counts: obtaining N36 million by false pretence and fraudulent conversion. Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to both charges.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution led by Mr. Suleiman Suleiman called the first witness, Mrs. Bufa Okangbe, an EFCC investigator, who tendered several documents including the defendant’s statement, bank records from Guaranty Trust and Access Banks, and a lease agreement.
Defence counsel, Mr. N.I. Nwafor, objected to the admissibility of some documents, citing concerns over certification and endorsement, but the court overruled the objections and admitted the documents as exhibits.
Mrs. Okangbe testified that the defendant allegedly received N25 million and N11 million in separate payments from the nominal complainant, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okoye, in July 2024 for the lease of a property in Lekki. Investigations revealed that the actual property owner was Thomas Osogun.
The witness further stated that portions of the funds were transferred by the defendant to several individuals, including N8 million to Thomas and Jumoke Osogun, N12.9 million to her mother and Kenneth Onuora, and N1.9 million to De Beauty City by Lekki.
During cross-examination, the defence questioned whether the complainant had provided documents proving employee payments or property usage. The witness confirmed that no such evidence was presented.
Following proceedings, the defence requested an adjournment to obtain additional documents relevant to the case. Consequently, the court adjourned the trial until June 22 for continuation of cross-examination and reserved ruling on the defendant’s bail application until June 9.
The charges allege that Blessing CEO falsely represented a six-bedroom duplex at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, as available for lease and converted funds paid by the complainant for personal use, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Criminal Code Act.
