Court remands social media influencer in EFCC custody pending bail hearing
Social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist Blessing Okoro, widely known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged ₦36 million fraud case.
The influencer was brought before the court on Friday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and theft.
According to the charges, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained ₦36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the claim that the money would be used to secure a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the representation was false and constituted an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Prosecutors further accused her of fraudulently converting the funds for personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
When the charges were read in court, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty.
Following her plea, counsel for the prosecution asked the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial, while the defence argued that the charges had only recently been served and that preparations were underway to file a bail application.
Presiding judge D. I. Dipeolu subsequently ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of her bail application.
The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for trial proceedings.
