Social media personality and self-proclaimed relationship expert, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka popularly known as Blessing CEO, she disclosed that she was detained at the Kirikiri Correctional Center in Lagos after being charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The influencer disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Wednesday after her appearance at a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to CEO Blessing, she pleaded not guilty to the charges against her after spending 26 days in EFCC custody.
She said she was transferred to Kirikiri Correctional Center while waiting for her bail conditions to be fulfilled.
“I am now detained at Kirikiri Correctional Center awaiting to fulfill my bail,” she wrote.
Blessing’s CEO speaks out about the allegations
Addressing the allegations, the Chief Executive Officer of Blessing claimed that some of the problems stemmed from tenancy disputes involving N36 and N69 million. She asserted that she never sold any property through her office.
She also referred to a separate matter related to the donations she allegedly received after claims that she was battling cancer. According to her, she will give a full account of the situation after the court proceedings are over.
The personality on social networks pointed out that this is not her first experience in a correctional facility. She recalled being held there in 2022 on charges related to defamation and online abuse.
Despite the legal battle, she expressed confidence that the outcome will ultimately be in her favor. She also thanked the fans for their encouragement and asked for continued prayers.
EFCC brings fresh fraud charges
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission announced on Wednesday that the CEO of Blessing has been arraigned before Justice Yelim Bogor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on fresh charges involving an alleged N13 million fraud.
The anti-corruption agency said she faces a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretenses and retaining funds suspected of being the proceeds of illegal activities.
According to the commission, the case arose out of petitions filed by individuals and organisations, including the Nigerian Cancer Society.
The EFCC alleged that members of the public donated money to the Blessing CEO after she made social media posts claiming she was suffering from stage four breast cancer and needed financial assistance for treatment.
Investigators further claimed that the documents presented in support of the cancer claims were later found to be forged.
Court orders on detention on bail
The executive director of Blessing pleaded not guilty to all charges when she appeared in court.
After the apprehension, the court ordered her to be detained until the conditions for her release are met. The case was then adjourned for further hearing.
