By Sandra Ugwu

Popular social media personality and relationship coach, Blessing Okoro, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud case.

The influencer, popularly known as Blessing CEO, was on Friday brought before the court by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and theft.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly obtained N36 million from Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and July 17, 2024, under the pretext of facilitating the purchase of a six-bedroom duplex in Lekki, Lagos.

The anti-graft agency told the court that the claim was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Blessing CEO was also accused of allegedly diverting the money for personal use, an offence said to contravene the Criminal Code Act.
When the charges were read in court, she pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Following her plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand her in a correctional facility pending trial. However, defence counsel informed the court that the charges had only recently been served on the defendant and that a bail application was still being prepared.

Justice D. I. Dipeolu thereafter ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of her bail application.

The case was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for trial.