A prosecution witness, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, on Monday told the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, how he paid N69.15 million for a five-year lease of a property allegedly presented to him as belonging to social media influencer, Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO.
Okeigwe, who testified as the first prosecution witness (PW1), gave the account during the continuation of Blessing CEO’s trial before Justice R. A. Oshodi.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Blessing CEO before the court on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving N69,150,000.
The EFCC alleged that the defendant falsely represented that a property located at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, Lagos, belonged to her and was leased to Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited for five years.
The charge stated that the alleged offence occurred on or about March 21, 2025, and contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to her.
While giving evidence before the court, the witness said he contacted the defendant over the property deal and later raised concerns after issues emerged.
According to him, the defendant allegedly dismissed his concerns, but the following day, a man identified as Mr Tom arrived at the property with police officers and some workers were arrested.
“I informed the defendant, and she claimed she did not know Mr Tom. I paid N100,000 to secure the release of my workers. Blessing still maintained that she did not know Mr Tom and that she was the owner of the property,” the witness told the court.
Okeigwe also identified WhatsApp messages where the defendant allegedly sent photographs of the building to him as proof of her ownership of the property.
He further told the court that he paid additional charges, including agency, legal and caution fees, as part of the transaction.
The witness, however, maintained that the alleged false representation was that Blessing CEO was not the actual owner of the property despite collecting N69.15 million from him.
He also alleged that the defendant collected money from him and another person for the same property.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until October 26, 2026, for continuation of trial.