The trial of social media influencer Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, commenced on Friday before the Federal High Court in Lagos, with an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator testifying that she obtained N36 million from her victim under false pretences.
The first prosecution witness, Mrs. Bufa Okangbe, also told the trial judge, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, that investigations revealed that Blessing CEO received a total of N36 million from the nominal complainant, Mrs Ifeyinwa Okoye, in connection with the lease of a property in Lekki, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency had accused the defendant of obtaining the money between July 14 and 17, 2024, claiming she would secure a lease for a six-bedroom duplex at 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC agency also alleged that this representation was false and violated the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
While being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Suleiman Suleiman, the witness identified the defendant’s statement and other exhibits, including a lease agreement and bank records from Guaranty Trust Bank and Access Bank.
Mrs Okangbe explained that the defendant admitted to receiving payments from the complainant and that records indicated that N25 million was deposited into her Guaranty Trust Bank account in July 2024, and N11 million into her Access Bank account, totalling N36 million.
She further testified that follow-up investigations traced several transactions after the funds were received, which included transfers of N8 million to Thomas and Jumoke Osogun, payments of N9 million, N900,000, and N2 million to her mother, Mrs Lina Okoro, a transfer of N10 million to Kenneth Onuora, and a payment of N1.9 million to De Beauty City, Lekki.
The witness further stated that the findings confirmed that the N36 million was paid in instalments for the leasing of the property, and that investigations with the Lagos State Land Bureau revealed that Thomas Osogun was the true owner of the property.
Before her testimony, defence counsel Nathan Nwafor objected to the admissibility of certain documents, including the lease agreement, the defendant’s statement, and bank records.
He argued that the lease agreement was a photocopy, questioned whether the statement was endorsed before a legal practitioner, and raised concerns about the certification of the bank documents.
The prosecution responded that the documents were relevant and they met the rules of admissibility.
Justice Isaac Dipeolu overruled these objections and admitted the documents as evidence.
During cross-examination, the witness confirmed she led the EFCC investigation team and that the complainant did not give a statement. She also stated that Kenneth Onuora voluntarily made a statement.
The witness added that the complainant did not provide documents suggesting workers operated from the leased property or that salaries were paid there. She also denied claims that the defendant chased away workers or took keys from security.
The defence then requested an adjournment to gather more relevant documents.
The court adjourned the case to June 22 for further cross-examination and also fixed June 8 for ruling on the defendant’s bail application.
