A prosecution witness has told a Lagos court that Blessing Nkiruka, the social media influencer known as Blessing CEO, allegedly collected N69.15 million from him for a five-year lease of a property she did not own.
Onuoha Okeigwe, the first prosecution witness (PW1), testified on October 12, 2026. The hearing took place before R. A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Blessing CEO on June 9, 2026. She faces a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
The first count alleges that she induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to pay N69.15 million. The payment was for a five-year lease of a property at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki. She allegedly claimed the property belonged to her, knowing the claim was false.
The charge falls under section 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. The offence is punishable under section 1(3) of the same law.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Okeigwe told the court that he contacted the defendant after a man identified as Tom arrived at the property with police officers. The men allegedly arrested some of his workers.
“I informed the defendant, and she claimed she did not know Mr Tom. I paid N100,000 to secure the release of my workers. Blessing still maintained that she did not know Mr Tom and that she was the owner of the property,” he said.
The witness also identified WhatsApp messages in which the defendant allegedly sent photographs of the building to support her claim of ownership.
He said he paid additional charges for the deal, including agency, legal and caution fees.
Okeigwe maintained that the alleged deception centred on the defendant’s claim to own the property. He also told the court that she allegedly collected money from him and another person for the same property.
Oshodi adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for further hearing.
Cancer fundraising controversy
The trial comes amid public criticism over Blessing CEO’s breast cancer fundraising appeal.
In January, she announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and sought donations for surgery.
Businessman Alafaa Kariboye-Igbo later claimed he transferred N20 million to her and demanded a refund.
Leave a Reply