Relationship therapist and social media personality Blessing CEO was unable to appear before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday after her lawyer told the court she had taken ill while in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Blessing CEO is currently facing a two-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accuses her of obtaining N36 million by false pretence and theft.
During the proceedings, her counsel, P.I. Nwafuru, informed Justice D.I. Dipeolu that prison officials had notified him of her condition, making it impossible for her to attend the hearing. He requested an adjournment and said a medical report would be presented at the next sitting.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case until Monday, July 20, for the continuation of trial.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye after claiming she was leasing out a six-bedroom detached duplex at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
Part of the charge reads:
“That you, OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did obtain the sum of N36,000,000.00 (Thirty-six Million Naira) from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex situated at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, Off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State, which representation you knew to be false…”
The anti-graft agency alleged that the money was later converted for personal use. However, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges when she was arraigned in May and has maintained her innocence.
