The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday admitted into evidence the statement of social media influencer and relationship therapist, Nkeiruka Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, as well as bank records and a lease agreement in her ongoing alleged N36 million fraud trial.
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Blessing CEO is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Isaac Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
The EFCC had arraigned her in May over allegations that she obtained N36 million from one Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye under the pretext of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the last adjourned date, defence counsel, N. I. Nwafor, had informed the court that the defendant had refunded part of the money to the complainant.
However, the prosecution counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, argued that the Federal Government was the complainant in the criminal charge and that the EFCC was not part of any settlement arrangement.
The court consequently adjourned the case for trial to commence.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, the prosecution called its first witness, Mrs Bufa Okangbe, an investigator with the EFCC, and sought to tender some documents through her.
The documents included the defendant’s statement, a copy of a lease agreement, and bank records from Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank, among others.
Defence counsel objected to the admissibility of the lease agreement, arguing that it was a photocopy. He also objected to the tendering of the defendant’s statement on the ground that it was not endorsed in the presence of a legal practitioner.
He further objected to the bank documents on the ground of certification, citing provisions of the Evidence Act, including Sections 84, 89 and 90.
In response, the prosecution relied on provisions of the Evidence Act, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and judicial authorities, arguing that admissibility of documents is governed by relevance.
In a short ruling, Justice Dipeolu overruled the objections and admitted the documents as exhibits.
Led in evidence by the prosecutor, the EFCC witness identified the first exhibit as the statement of the defendant.
Okangbe told the court that Blessing CEO admitted in her statement that she received payments from the nominal complainant.
According to the witness, the defendant received N25 million in her Guaranty Trust Bank account in July 2024 and later received an additional N11 million in her Access Bank account in connection with the alleged lease transaction.
On how the funds were disbursed, the witness said the defendant transferred N8 million to one Mr Thomas Osogun and Mrs Jumoke Osogun in July 2024.
She also told the court that the defendant made payments of N9 million, N900,000 and N2 million respectively to her mother, Mrs Lina Okoro, and transferred N10 million to one Kenneth Onuora.
The witness further stated that the defendant paid N1.9 million to one De Beauty City by Lekki.
Okangbe said EFCC investigations showed that the complainant paid the defendant N36 million in two tranches of N25 million and N11 million for the lease of a property in Lekki.
She added that investigations at the Lagos State Land Bureau showed that the real owner of the property was one Thomas Osogun.
During cross-examination, the witness told the court that the case was investigated by a team of EFCC operatives which she led.
When asked whether the nominal complainant made any statement to the commission, the witness answered in the negative.
She also testified that Kenneth Onuora, to whom the defendant allegedly transferred money, made a voluntary statement to the commission.
Asked whether the complainant showed the EFCC any document proving that workers were already using the leased property and were paid salaries, the witness said no.
She also said it was not the complainant who reported to the EFCC that the defendant allegedly chased workers away from the leased property and collected the keys from security personnel.
After further questions, defence counsel asked for an adjournment to enable him obtain other documents he described as material to the defence.
The court adjourned the matter until June 22 for continuation of cross-examination.
Meanwhile, Justice Dipeolu reserved ruling on the defendant’s bail application until June 9.
In the charge, the EFCC alleged that Blessing CEO obtained N36 million from Mrs Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the false pretence of leasing the Lekki property.
The commission further alleged that the representation was false and constituted an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Another count accused the defendant of fraudulently converting the money to her personal use, contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
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