Alleged Fraud: Court Remands Blessing CEO In Kirikiri Correctional Centre

Social media influencer Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has disclosed that she has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos following her arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The influencer disclosed in a Facebook post on Wednesday shortly after appearing before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to her, she pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against her after spending 26 days in EFCC custody.

“I have now been remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending when I perfect my bail,” she wrote, expressing confidence that the matter would eventually be resolved in her favour.

She stated that some of the allegations against her were linked to tenancy-related disputes involving N36m and N69m, insisting that she did not sell any house through her office.

The influencer also referenced a separate matter involving donations allegedly made after claims that she was battling cancer, saying she would address the issue after the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Blessing noted that this was the second time she would be remanded at the correctional facility, recalling that she was previously detained in 2022 over allegations of defamation and cyberbullying.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission confirmed that it had arraigned the influencer before Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, on fresh allegations of fraud.

According to the anti-graft agency, she was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retaining proceeds allegedly linked to fraudulent activities.

The EFCC said the charges arose from petitions submitted by individuals and organisations, including the Nigeria Cancer Society.

The commission further alleged that the case involves an alleged N13mn fraud, with proceedings expected to continue as the defendant works to meet her bail conditions.