The trial of social media influencer and relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, was on Wednesday adjourned until July 20, 2026, after she failed to appear before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing CEO is standing trial before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and theft.
At the resumed hearing, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafuru, informed the court that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service had notified him that the defendant was ill and therefore unable to attend the proceedings.
He urged the court to grant an adjournment, assuring the judge that a medical report detailing her condition would be presented at the next sitting.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and adjourned the case to Monday, July 20, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of securing the lease of a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the representation was false and that the defendant knowingly deceived the complainant, an act said to contravene Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The case is expected to continue on July 20, when the prosecution is anticipated to proceed with its evidence, subject to the defendant’s appearance before the court.
