By Desire Emmanuel
The trial of social media influencer, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos State, could not proceed on Wednesday, July 15, as the court was told that she was ill in detention.
This made the judge to adjourn the case till Monday, July 20.
Blessing CEO is facing 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 alleged theft of N36 million.
When the matter was called on Wednesday, her counsel informed the court that officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service notified him that his client was ill and, as a result, could not attend the proceedings.
The counsel requested an adjournment and assured the court that a medical report would be presented at the next hearing.
Following the prayer of the defence counsel, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter til next Monday for the continuation of trial.
One of charges against Blessing reads: “That you, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, between July 14 and 17, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, did obtain the sum of N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the false pretence of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex situated in Lekki, Lagos State.
“This representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”
