The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, June 5, 2026, reserved ruling until June 9, 2026, on the bail application filed by social media influencer, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as “Blessing CEO,” who is standing trial over an alleged N36 million fraud.
The defendant is facing a two-count charge brought by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
At the hearing, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafuru, urged the court to admit the defendant to bail on liberal terms, while prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, opposed the application, urging the court to order an accelerated hearing of the case.
Suleiman informed the court that the EFCC had filed a 28-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by the investigating officer, Bufa Regina Okangbe, noting that the defendant had at some point allegedly failed to honour investigative invitations extended to her by the Commission.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice D.I. Dipeolu reserved ruling on the bail application until June 9, 2026.
Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution called its first witness, EFCC investigator Bufa Regina Okangbe, who presented a detailed account of financial transactions, property records, and investigative findings allegedly linking the defendant to the alleged fraud.
Okangbe told the court that the EFCC received a petition which was assigned to her team, prompting investigations that included a Bank Verification Number (BVN) search, letters to financial institutions, and inquiries to the Lagos State Land Bureau and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
She testified that findings revealed multiple bank accounts linked to the defendant, as well as transactions involving the complainant and associated entities.
According to her testimony, the defendant was invited and confronted with evidence during interrogation sessions conducted in the presence of her lawyer and husband, during which she allegedly acknowledged receiving part of the disputed funds.
The witness further stated that responses from the Lagos State Land Bureau indicated that the property at the centre of the dispute did not belong to the defendant but to one Mr. Tunbosun Osobu, who confirmed he had leased the property to her, with the lease expiring in 2023 and later renewed in 2025.
Okangbe also told the court that the petitioner submitted a lease agreement and tenancy acquisition documents relating to the transaction.
During proceedings, prosecution counsel sought to tender several documents, including the petition dated February 18, 2025; the defendant’s statements; bank records; and corporate filings. Defence counsel objected to the admissibility of the defendant’s statements, arguing that there was no indication of legal representation during their recording and no video evidence of the process.
The prosecution, however, argued that the statements were valid under the law, while maintaining that all bank records tendered were properly certified in line with Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
In a ruling, Justice Dipeolu overruled the objection and admitted the documents as exhibits, holding that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act permits statements to be taken in the presence of a legal practitioner or any person chosen by the suspect.
Continuing her testimony, the EFCC investigator stated that a total of N36 million was transferred to the defendant’s accounts—comprising N25 million into her GTBank account and N11 million into her Access Bank account—for the disputed property transaction.
She further alleged that subsequent transfers were made from the defendant’s accounts to various individuals and entities, including family members and associates.
Under cross-examination, the witness stated that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as complainant in the case, was not aware of any private settlement between the parties and said she had no knowledge of an alleged partial refund.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently adjourned the matter to June 9, 2026, for ruling on the bail application, and June 22, 2026, for continuation of trial.
