LAGOS — A prosecution witness has told a Lagos Special Offences Court that social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, allegedly collected ₦69.15 million from him for a five-year lease of a property she was accused of falsely representing as her own.

The witness, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, who testified as the first prosecution witness (PW1), made the disclosure on Monday, October 12, 2026, during the continuation of Blessing CEO's trial before Justice R. A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The case stems from allegations of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving ₦69,150,000.

Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the prosecution, the alleged transaction involved a property located at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, Lagos, which was reportedly leased to Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited for five years.

The first count alleges that on or about March 21, 2025, Blessing CEO induced the company to pay ₦69,150,000 under the representation that the property belonged to her and had been leased to the company, despite allegedly knowing that the representation was false.

The charge was brought under Section 1(2) and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.

Witness Recounts Dispute Over Property Ownership

While giving his testimony, Okeigwe told the court that he contacted the defendant after concerns arose over the property and that she allegedly dismissed his concerns about the situation.

He further narrated an incident in which a man identified as Mr Tom reportedly arrived at the premises with police officers and arrested some of the clinic's workers.

According to the witness, he subsequently contacted Blessing CEO to inform her about the incident.

“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 testimony formed part of the prosecution's effort to establish the circumstances surrounding the disputed lease and the alleged representation of ownership.

WhatsApp Messages Presented As Evidence

Okeigwe also identified WhatsApp messages in which the defendant allegedly sent him photographs of the building, which he said were presented as evidence of her ownership of the property.

The witness further testified that he paid additional charges associated with the transaction, including agency, legal and caution fees.

However, he maintained that the central issue was the alleged misrepresentation of ownership, arguing that the defendant collected ₦69,150,000 from him for a property she allegedly did not own.

He also told the court that the defendant allegedly collected money from him and another person in connection with the same property.

The claims remain allegations presented during the ongoing criminal trial. Their evidential weight and the defendant's criminal responsibility are matters for the court to determine.

Court Adjourns Trial Until October 26

Blessing CEO has denied the charges by pleading not guilty. The prosecution must therefore establish its case in court, while the defendant remains entitled to the presumption of innocence under the law.

Justice Oshodi subsequently adjourned the matter until October 26, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.

The next sitting is expected to provide a further opportunity for the court to hear evidence in the case involving the alleged ₦69.15 million property lease transaction.

HSN will continue to follow the proceedings as the court determines the allegations against the social media influencer.