Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
An Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos has granted social media influencer and relationship therapist Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, bail in the sum of N20 million over an alleged N69.15 million fraud. Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the defendant to bail on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with two responsible sureties in like sum, directing that each surety must provide a three-year bank statement or evidence of a fixed deposit valued at not less than N20 million.
Justice Oshodi, while granting the bail application, noted that although the prosecution did not oppose the application, the court was required to independently assess the seriousness of the allegations and the punishment prescribed by law. The court also took into consideration the defence counsel's explanation regarding the whereabouts of the defendant's international passport. The defence informed the court that the passport had been lost and tendered an affidavit of loss along with public notices published to that effect.
As part of the bail conditions, Justice Oshodi ordered that the defendant and her sureties be profiled through the Lagos State Judiciary's Bail Information Management System. The judge further directed the Nigerian Immigration Service to enforce travel restrictions on the defendant pending the determination of the case. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 12, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned Blessing CEO on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretences. The anti-graft agency alleged that in March 2025, the defendant fraudulently obtained N69,150,000 from Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited under the pretext of securing a lease of a property in the Lekki area of Lagos. She pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC said the alleged offences contravene Section 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State and Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
This is not the first time Blessing CEO has faced fraud-related charges before the courts. In a separate case, she is also standing trial for an alleged N36 million fraud, for which she was granted N10 million bail by a Federal High Court in Ikoyi. In that case, she was accused of obtaining N36 million from a client between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretext of leasing a six-bedroom detached duplex in Lekki, Lagos. Her trial in the N36 million case was adjourned to July 20, 2026, after she failed to appear in court due to reported illness.
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