The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Okoro Blessing Nkiruka before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged ₦36 million fraud.

Blessing CEO, a social media personality and self-acclaimed relationship adviser, was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and alleged theft involving ₦36 million.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly obtained the money from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretext of securing a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos — a claim prosecutors said she knew to be false.

During proceedings, defence counsel P.I. Nwafor informed the court that the defendant had refunded ₦24 million to the complainant and requested a short adjournment to allow discussions over the outstanding balance.

“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded ₦24 million out of the ₦36 million.

“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case,” the lawyer said.
However, prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman opposed the request, insisting that the commission was not involved in any private settlement arrangement.

“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment. We urge that the defendant take her plea, as that is the business of the day,” he argued.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Dipeolu held that settlement talks could continue independently but would not stop the arraignment process.

“The defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court. The defendant will take her plea,” the judge ruled.

One of the charges alleged that between July 14 and 17, 2024, Blessing CEO fraudulently obtained ₦36 million from the complainant over a purported property lease in Lekki.
Another count accused her of unlawfully converting the money to personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following her plea, the prosecution asked the court to commence trial and remand her in a correctional facility, while the defence requested that she remain in EFCC custody pending bail arrangements.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.

1. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday submitted their nomination forms at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Atiku, in a post on his X handle on Thursday, said his presidential bid represents a broader movement aimed at restoring national prosperity and rebuilding Nigeria. Amaechi, on his part, pledged to turn the country around within four years if elected, arguing that competence, experience and performance—not ethnicity or political sentiment—should determine the 2027 contest

2. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday formally joined the presidential race for 2027 under an alliance involving the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples’ Movement. In his declaration speech delivered at a rally held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, and witnessed by a mammoth crowd, Makinde said he is running under the PDP/APM alliance.

3. The All Progressives Congress, APC, Thursday, shifted the House of Representatives primary scheduled to commence today, Friday, to Saturday, May 16, 2026. A statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka late Thursday, however, said previously announced primary election dates for the Senate, State Houses of Assembly, Governorship and Presidential remain unchanged.

4. A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa, Abuja, on Thursday, ordered the remand of the founder of the Prophetic Victory Voice of Fire Ministry, Pastor Amos Isah, over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old church member. Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi directed that the 39-year-old cleric be kept in custody pending the submission of his previous bail records.

5. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday disclosed that he almost lost his position last year due to the alleged involvement of actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot in the political crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly during the speakership tussle involving Mudashiru Obasa.

6. A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has said representatives of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar met with those of US Congressman Riley Moore to discuss election integrity and security challenges in Nigeria. The firm disclosed the meeting in a statement posted on its X handle on Thursday.

7. Fresh tensions have erupted across several states as the ruling All Progressives Congress commences its primaries on Friday (today) ahead of the 2027 general elections, forcing party leaders and key stakeholders loyal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intensify consultations to prevent a full-blown internal crisis. The growing unrest, which has triggered protests, collapsed consensus negotiations, and led to accusations of candidate imposition and reconciliation efforts across multiple states, comes as the APC leadership races to preserve party cohesion before the primaries gather momentum nationwide

8. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday said Nigeria has attracted nearly $20 billion in foreign direct investments this year. Speaking during a panel session at the ongoing Africa CEO Forum, President Tinubu attributed the inflow to reforms aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence in the country.

9. Troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have rescued six abducted civilians, neutralised terrorists, and arrested suspected collaborators in ongoing clearance operations across parts of Borno and Yobe States. The military said the operations were conducted under Operation DESERT SANITY and based on credible intelligence targeting identified terrorist movement corridors in the region

10. Members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oluyole Federal Constituency of Oyo State on Thursday staged a protest against the alleged imposition of a candidate ahead of the forthcoming House of Representatives primary election. The aggrieved party members stormed the APC state secretariat in Oke Ado, Ibadan, in large numbers to formally register their dissatisfaction over the development.

Thousands of residents, party supporters and political stakeholders on Thursday thronged Oke Meta Memorial Primary School, Somolu, Lagos, as the lawmaker representing Somolu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Orekoya, formally declared his intention to seek re-election in 2027

The event, which attracted a large crowd from different parts of the constituency, turned into a public show of support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, whose first term in office has been marked by legislative interventions, youth-focused programmes and constituency projects.

Addressing supporters at the gathering, Orekoya said his decision to seek another term was driven by the need to consolidate on developmental initiatives already started within the constituency.

He urged residents to sustain their support for his administration, promising to intensify efforts in the areas of education, empowerment, youth development and infrastructural renewal if returned to office.

“We have started a journey of growth and development in Somolu, and there is still more work to be done. With your continued support, we will build on the achievements already recorded,” he said.

Orekoya, who currently chairs the House Committee on Youth and Social Development, has played active roles in several legislative processes at the Assembly. Among bills linked to his legislative contributions are the Lagos State Administration of Civil Justice Bill 2023, the Local Government Administration Bill 2024, and the Community Development Association Bill 2024.

In the education sector, the lawmaker has facilitated bursaries for 147 students, while four others reportedly secured full scholarships through his intervention. He also distributed 250 General Certificate Examination (GCE) forms and 150 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms to students across the constituency.

His empowerment initiatives have equally impacted several residents, with over 341 constituents benefitting from business grants, vocational tools and financial support aimed at encouraging small-scale enterprise development. In addition, 29 individuals were assisted in securing employment within the Lagos State public service.

As part of youth engagement efforts, Orekoya has sponsored exchange programmes, youth mentorship initiatives, football tournaments and youth-police dialogue sessions targeted at promoting leadership and social inclusion among young people in the constituency.

Residents who spoke at the event described the lawmaker as accessible and community-oriented, noting that road rehabilitation projects facilitated during his tenure had improved movement and commercial activities in parts of Somolu.

Several supporters at the declaration also pledged continued backing for his re-election bid, insisting that his performance in office justified another term in the Assembly.