Alleged N69.15m Fraud: Court Hears Fresh Testimony Against Blessing CEO

A prosecution witness has told a Lagos court how he allegedly paid N69.15 million to social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, for a five-year lease of a property in Lekki, Lagos, which she allegedly represented as her own.

The witness, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, testified on Monday before Justice R. A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja during the ongoing trial of the influencer over alleged fraud.

Okeigwe, who appeared as the first prosecution witness, said the payment was made for a five-year lease of the property located at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Blessing CEO on June 9, 2026, on two counts bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

According to the charge, the defendant allegedly induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to pay N69.15 million on March 21, 2025, under the representation that she owned the property and was leasing it to the company for five years.

The charge further alleged that the representation was false and that the defendant knew it was false at the time.

However, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.

During his testimony, Okeigwe told the court that he contacted the defendant after concerns arose over the ownership of the property.

He alleged that Blessing CEO denied knowing a man identified as Mr Tom and continued to maintain that she owned the property.

The witness also told the court that he paid N100,000 to secure the release of his workers, although he did not provide further details in the reported testimony about the circumstances surrounding their release.

Okeigwe reportedly identified WhatsApp conversations in which the defendant allegedly sent him photographs of the building as evidence supporting her claim of ownership.

He further stated that he paid additional charges, including agency, legal and caution fees, in connection with the transaction.

According to the witness, the alleged fraud centred on the claim that Blessing CEO was not the actual owner of the property despite collecting the money for the lease.

He also alleged that the same property was presented to another person in a separate transaction.

The defendant’s plea of not guilty means the allegations remain subject to determination by the court.

The case was adjourned until October 26, 2026, for continuation of the trial.