Social media influencer and relationship therapist, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
The influencer was docked on Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and theft.
According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained the sum of N36 million from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the guise of facilitating the purchase of a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos.
The prosecution told the court that the representation made to the complainant was false and contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
She was also accused of allegedly converting the said amount to personal use, an offence said to be contrary to the Criminal Code Act.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read before the court.
Following her plea, counsel for the prosecution urged the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending the commencement of trial. Defence counsel, however, informed the court that the charges had only just been served and that a bail application was being prepared.
In his ruling, Justice D. I. Dipeolu ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of her bail application.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till June 5, 2026, for trial.
