Alleged ₦36m fraud: Court adjourns Blessing CEO’s trial due to ill health

The trial of Nigerian social media influencer Blessing Okoro Nkiruka, known as Blessing CEO, was adjourned on Wednesday after she failed to appear in court. Officials cited ill health as the reason for her absence.

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officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service had stated that the defendant was indisposed and could not be produced in court.

Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi granted the adjournment until July 20. The defense counsel assured the court that a medical report detailing Blessing CEO's condition would be presented at the next hearing.

Blessing CEO faces two counts of charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges relate to allegedly obtaining ₦36 million by false pretense and theft. The EFCC claims she defrauded a complainant between July 14 and 17, 2024, by falsely promising to secure a lease for a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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a medical report detailing his client’s condition would be presented at the next hearing.

Previously, the defense had indicated that parties were exploring an out-of-court settlement, with Blessing CEO reportedly refunding ₦24 million of the disputed sum. However, the EFCC opposed halting the criminal proceedings, arguing that such prosecutions are on behalf of the Federal Government. The court had previously ruled that settlement discussions would not halt the criminal proceedings.

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criminal prosecution is undertaken on behalf of the Federal Government and cannot be suspended while parties negotiate a settlement.