Self-styled relationship therapist Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, will spend the weekend in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following her arraignment on Friday over an alleged N36 million fraud.
According to the charge, Blessing allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretence of securing a six bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos.
The EFCC said the representation was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
She was also accused of fraudulently converting the money for personal use, contrary to the Criminal Code Act.
Blessing pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following her plea, her lawyer told the court that there had been efforts to resolve the matter with the nominal complainant.
The lawyer said, “We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 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.”
However, prosecuting counsel S. I. Suleiman argued that the EFCC was not part of any private settlement discussions between the parties.
“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 said.
In his ruling, Justice D. I. Dipeolu held that discussions between the defendant and the nominal complainant would not affect the criminal proceedings before the court.
“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.
Justice Dipeolu then ordered that she be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of her bail application, meaning she will spend the weekend in detention.
The case was adjourned till June 5, 2026, for trial.
The arraignment comes weeks after the influencer faced public backlash over allegations linked to a cancer fundraising campaign.
In April, the EFCC confirmed it received a petition accusing Blessing of cyberbullying, forgery and allegedly raising funds with a manipulated medical report said to belong to a cancer patient identified as Deborah Mbara.
The controversy started after Blessing claimed she had breast cancer and appealed for public support. However, the Nigerian Medical Association in Delta State and Xinus Medical Diagnostics reportedly denied issuing the report to her, alleging that the document had originally been issued to another patient and was later altered.
The Nigerian Cancer Society also petitioned the EFCC, DSS and police over the claims, saying the allegations could damage public trust in genuine cancer advocacy and fundraising efforts.
