A prosecution witness has told a Lagos court that social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, allegedly maintained ownership of a Lekki property even after a man reportedly arrived there with police officers and had some workers arrested over a dispute surrounding the building.
The witness, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, gave the account at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, where Blessing CEO is standing trial over allegations that she obtained N69.15 million under the pretext of leasing out the property for five years.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which disclosed the proceedings in a statement on Monday, Okeigwe is the first prosecution witness in the case before Justice R.A. Oshodi.
Okeigwe told the court that he contacted the defendant after a man identified as Mr Tom allegedly visited the property at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, with police officers, resulting in the arrest of some workers.
He alleged that when he confronted Blessing CEO about the incident, she denied knowing the man but continued to insist 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,” the witness told the court.
The witness also identified WhatsApp messages in which the influencer allegedly sent him photographs of the building as evidence of her claimed ownership.
The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s case that the defendant allegedly induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to pay N69,150,000 on or about March 21, 2025, by representing that she owned the property and could offer it for a five-year lease.
Okeigwe further alleged that agency, legal and caution fees were paid in connection with the transaction, adding that Blessing CEO allegedly collected money from him and another individual in relation to the same property.
The EFCC had arraigned the influencer on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The allegations have yet to be established in court, and the defendant remains entitled to the presumption of innocence as the trial continues.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until October 26, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.
