A businessman has told a Lagos court how social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, allegedly collected N69.15 million from him for a five-year lease of a Lekki property she claimed to own.
The businessman, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, who testified as the first prosecution witness, alleged that the transaction became contentious after another man, identified as Mr Tom, arrived at the property with police officers and arrested some of the workers at the premises.
Okeigwe told the court that he had paid the money after Blessing CEO allegedly presented the property at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, Lagos, as her own.
According to the witness, he contacted the influencer after the incident, but she reportedly denied knowing the man who had arrived with the police and maintained that she owned the property.
“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,” Okeigwe told the court.
The witness said he had WhatsApp conversations in which Blessing CEO allegedly sent him photographs of the building to support her claim of ownership. He added that he also paid additional agency, legal and caution fees as part of the transaction.
Okeigwe further alleged that the influencer collected money from another individual for the same property, arguing that the central issue was her alleged representation of herself as the rightful owner when, according to his account, she was not.
The allegations have brought the social media personality before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting her over the disputed property transaction.
The EFCC, through its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, filed a two-count charge accusing Blessing CEO of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing N69.15 million.
According to the commission, the alleged offence occurred on or about March 21, 2025, when she allegedly induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to pay the money by representing that she owned the Lekki property and could lease it to the company for five years.
The case highlights the risks associated with property transactions, particularly when prospective tenants or investors rely on claims of ownership without independently verifying the legal status of a property. Disputes over ownership and competing claims can expose parties to substantial financial losses and lengthy legal proceedings.
However, the allegations against Blessing CEO remain before the court and have not been established as proven facts. She was arraigned on June 9, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice R. A. Oshodi adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.