The trial of social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been adjourned until July 20 after she failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged ill health.
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 the alleged theft of ₦36 million.
When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafuru, informed the court that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service had notified him that the defendant was ill and therefore unable to attend the proceedings.
He urged the court to grant an adjournment, assuring Justice Dipeolu that a medical report would be presented at the next sitting.
Following the application by the defence, the judge adjourned the case until Monday, July 20, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained ₦36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the false pretence of securing the lease of a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the representation was false and charged her with offences contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.