By Lizzy Chirkpi
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 in Ikoyi, Lagos, due to illness.
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 involving N36 million.
When the matter came up for hearing, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafuru, informed the court that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service had notified him that his client was ill and could not be produced for the proceedings.
He assured the court that “a medical report would be presented at the next hearing,” and prayed for an adjournment.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and adjourned the matter until Monday, July 20, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
According to one of the charges, the EFCC alleged:
“That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos did obtain the sum of N36,000,000.00 from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex which representation you knew to be false.”
The Commission further alleged that the offence contravenes the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Blessing CEO has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the case is expected to continue on July 20, when the court is also expected to receive an update on her medical condition.