Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has ordered the remand of popular social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Ms Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the commencement of her trial on 24 September 2026.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Ms Okoro on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, possession of false documents, fraudulent conversion and retention of proceeds of alleged unlawful activities amounting to N13 million.
At the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Mr H.U. Kofanaisa, informed the court that the commission had filed a six-count charge against the defendant and requested that the charges be read to her for plea.
Following the reading of the charges, Ms Okoro pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Alleged false cancer diagnosis
According to the EFCC, Ms Okoro allegedly obtained N13 million from members of the public after claiming she had been diagnosed with a terminal illness involving a left breast lump and invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features.
The anti-graft agency alleged that she used the claim to solicit financial assistance from unsuspecting members of the public.
The commission further accused her of forging a medical document titled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report,” purportedly issued by Xinus Medical Diagnostics, and presenting it as evidence of her medical condition.
Fraud, forgery and retention of funds alleged
The prosecution alleged that Ms Okoro knowingly possessed and used the purportedly forged medical report while disguising the source of the funds allegedly obtained from donors.
The EFCC also accused her of fraudulently converting the money to personal use and retaining the funds in her bank account despite allegedly knowing they were proceeds of unlawful activity.
Following her plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant pending the commencement of proceedings.
Court orders remand
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Stanley Ofoegbu, informed the court that although a formal bail application had not yet been filed, he wished to make an oral application for bail or seek a short adjournment.
Justice Bogoro declined the request, ruling that no formal bail application was before the court.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until 24 September 2026, for trial and ordered that Ms Okoro be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Kirikiri, Lagos.
Multiple fraud cases
The latest arraignment comes barely a day after Ms Okoro secured bail in another criminal matter.
On 9 June 2026, Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted her bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in a separate N36 million fraud case instituted by the EFCC.
On the same day, she was also arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, over allegations that she defrauded Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited of N69.15 million.
Ms Okoro pleaded not guilty to those charges and remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings, with her bail application in that matter scheduled for hearing on 16 July 2026.
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