Social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been accused of falsely claiming ownership of a Lekki property to collect ₦69.15 million from a doctor, as her alleged property fraud trial continues in Lagos.
The allegation was made by the prosecution’s first witness, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, during cross-examination at the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on Monday.
Okeigwe told Justice Rahman Oshodi that he paid the money after Blessing CEO allegedly presented herself as the owner of the property and convinced him through WhatsApp conversations and face-to-face meetings.
He insisted that his allegation was backed by documents and other evidence tendered before the court, including materials obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The doctor, who said he was not a lawyer and did not understand legal terminology, maintained that the evidence against the influencer went beyond the WhatsApp messages exchanged between them.
He also rejected the defence counsel’s suggestion that Exhibit C was the only evidence he had presented in support of his claim.
Okeigwe disclosed that he had filed a separate civil suit against Blessing CEO to recover money spent renovating the property and to seek damages.
According to him, he spent more than ₦100 million refurbishing the building to meet the requirements of a medical facility he planned to establish there.
He clarified that the criminal case concerned the ₦69.15 million allegedly paid for the property, while the separate civil action focused on recovering the renovation expenses and other damages.
HOW THE ₦69.15M PROPERTY DEAL SPARKED CONTROVERSY
The latest testimony follows an earlier account by Okeigwe, reported during the proceedings on October 12, in which he described how the alleged property transaction unravelled.
According to the earlier court report, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that Blessing CEO presented a property at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, Lagos, as hers and offered it to Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited under a five-year lease.
The prosecution alleged that the transaction took place on or about March 21, 2025, and that the influencer induced the company to part with ₦69.15 million through the alleged false representation.
Okeigwe had also told the court that he became concerned after a man identified as Mr Tom allegedly arrived at the premises with police officers, leading to the arrest of some workers.
He said he contacted Blessing CEO, who allegedly denied knowing the man while maintaining that she owned the property. The witness further claimed that he paid ₦100,000 to secure the workers’ release.
He also alleged during the earlier proceedings that the same property was involved in a transaction with another person.
The EFCC subsequently arraigned Blessing CEO on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving ₦69,150,000. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In July, Justice Oshodi granted her bail of ₦20 million, with two sureties in like sum, according to a report by PUNCH.
The allegations remain before the court and have yet to be established by a final judgment.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the latest proceedings until January 12, 2027, for the prosecution to call additional witnesses.
