A prosecution witness, Dr Onuoha Okeigwe, on Monday told a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja that social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, allegedly misrepresented herself as the owner of a property for which he paid N69.15m.

Okeigwe made the allegation while being cross-examined by defence counsel during the continuation of Blessing CEO’s trial before Justice Rahman Oshodi.

The witness, who testified as the prosecution’s first witness, said he relied on the defendant’s representations, made through WhatsApp conversations and physical interactions, before paying for the property.

Responding to questions about the transaction documents, Okeigwe said he was a doctor of chiropractic and not a lawyer, adding that he did not understand legal terminology.

He, however, insisted that he had presented evidence to support his allegation that the defendant falsely claimed ownership of the property.

Okeigwe also told the court that the communications between them took place both before and after the payment.

“Blessing presented herself, claiming to be the owner of the property, and falsely collected money from me. She impersonated the owner of the property,” he said.

The witness disclosed that he had instituted a separate civil suit against the defendant to recover money spent on renovating the property.

He said he had spent more than N100m renovating it to meet the requirements of the medical facility he intended to establish there.

Explaining the distinction between the two cases, Okeigwe said the criminal proceedings concerned the N69.15m allegedly paid for the property, while the civil suit sought recovery of the renovation expenses and damages.

When asked whether the defendant had told him through WhatsApp messages that she owned the property, the witness said the alleged representations went beyond their online conversations.

He said he also relied on Corporate Affairs Commission documents and other materials he had submitted to the court in support of his claim.

Okeigwe disagreed with the defence counsel’s suggestion that Exhibit C was the only evidence he had tendered, insisting that he had presented other evidence.

Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving N69,150,000.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until January 12, 2027, for the prosecution to call additional witnesses.

Source: punchng.com

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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the deaths of two minors in the Alkaleri and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, adding that the suspects were arrested in connection with separate incidents involving a boy and a five-year-old girl.

Habib said the first incident occurred on October 16, 2026, when a boy allegedly drank a beverage given to him by his stepmother, identified as Fatima Ibrahim, 23, of Kwaimawa village.

According to the police spokesperson, the boy started vomiting uncontrollably shortly after taking the drink and was rushed to a Primary Health Care Centre in Kwaimawa before being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, for further treatment.

He said the child battled for his life for eight days but was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor on October 24.

“Following a report by the Village Head of Kwaimawa, detectives swung into action and arrested the suspect. She is now in custody as the investigation continues,” the statement partly read.

In a separate incident, the police said a five-year-old girl was found dead in a pit in Badaromo village on October 24.

Habib explained that the girl’s grandfather had reported her missing to the police at about 7 pm on October 23, prompting a search by residents of the community.

He said the search ended in tragedy when the child’s body was discovered in a small water pit behind the village at about 7 am the following day.

“Upon receiving the report, police operatives from Soro Division cordoned off the scene and arrested one Sadiku Musa, 19, of the same address, in connection with the heinous act,” the statement added.

The police spokesperson said both cases had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for discreet and thorough investigations.

The state Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, described the incidents as heartbreaking and inhumane, assuring the families of the deceased children that the command would pursue justice.

“These are innocent souls. Children who looked up to adults for protection. We will ensure that justice speaks for Habiba and Mubarak,” the commissioner vowed.

The CP also commiserated with the bereaved families and urged parents, guardians and community leaders to pay closer attention to the safety of children.

Source: punchng.com

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