N69.15m Fraud Trial: Witness Accuses Blessing CEO of False Property Claim
Kehinde Adeleye
A prosecution witness has told the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja that social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, allegedly misrepresented herself as the owner of a property for which he paid N69.15 million.
The witness, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, made the allegation on Monday while being cross-examined by defence counsel during the continuation of Blessing CEO’s trial before Justice Rahman Oshodi.
Okeigwe, the prosecution’s first witness, told the court that he relied on representations allegedly made by the defendant through WhatsApp conversations and physical interactions before making the payment.
He said he was a doctor of chiropractic rather than a lawyer and did not understand some of the legal terminology contained in the transaction documents.
However, the witness maintained that he had submitted evidence to support his allegation that Blessing CEO falsely claimed ownership of the property.
“Blessing presented herself, claiming to be the owner of the property, and falsely collected money from me. She impersonated the owner of the property,” he told the court.
Okeigwe said their communications took place both before and after the payment, adding that his decision was also influenced by Corporate Affairs Commission documents and other materials he had tendered as evidence.
The witness further disclosed that he had instituted a separate civil suit against the defendant to recover money he allegedly spent renovating the property.
According to him, he spent more than N100 million on renovations to prepare the premises for a medical facility he intended to establish there.
He explained that the criminal case concerns the N69.15 million allegedly paid for the property, while the separate civil action seeks to recover renovation expenses and damages.
Okeigwe also disagreed with defence counsel’s suggestion that Exhibit C was the only evidence he had presented to the court, insisting that he had tendered additional materials in support of his claims.
Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving N69.15 million.
She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until January 12, 2027, for the prosecution to call additional witnesses.
