Lagos Federal High Court arraigned social‑media influencer Blessing Okoro, known as Blessing CEO, on Friday on two counts of fraud involving N36 million. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFRC) alleges that Okoro obtained the money from a petitioner by promising to secure a six‑bedroom detached duplex in Lekki, Lagos, and then misappropriated the funds for personal use.
The arraignment was heard before Judge D.I. Dipeolu. Defence counsel P.I. Nwafor told the court that Okoro had already refunded N24 million to the complainant and sought a brief adjournment to settle the remaining balance. The prosecution, represented by S.I. Suleiman, rejected the request, noting that the complainant is the Federal Government of Nigeria and that any settlement would not affect the criminal charge.
Judge Dipeolu ruled that negotiations between the parties could continue independently of the criminal proceedings and ordered that Okoro remain in EFRC custody pending the filing of bail conditions. The trial has been scheduled to commence on 5 June.
The charges allege that between 14 and 17 July 2024 Okoro falsely represented to Ifeyinwa Okoye that she could procure a six‑bedroom duplex at No 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, in exchange for N36 million. The first count cites Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud‑Related Offences Act, 2006; the second count invokes Sections 383 and 390 of the Criminal Code Act for fraudulent conversion of the same amount. Okoro entered a plea of not guilty.
The case adds to a series of controversies that have surrounded Okoro in recent years. In 2022 she claimed to be suffering from stage‑four breast cancer and solicited donations for treatment, later admitting that the medical report she posted was that of a makeup artist, Deborah Mbara, who accused Okoro of fabricating the document. Earlier, in 2019, Okoro posted images of a seven‑bedroom mansion in Enugu, asserting ownership, only to be challenged by the actual owner, businessman Onye Eze, who publicly refuted her claim. Okoro subsequently clarified that she was merely visiting the property while working on her own building project.
The arraignment underscores the EFRC’s intensified focus on high‑profile fraud cases linked to social‑media personalities. Observers note that the outcome of the trial could set a precedent for how digital influencers are held accountable for financial misconduct in Nigeria. The court’s next appearance on 5 June will determine whether the matter proceeds to trial or is resolved through settlement.
