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By Oscar Okhifo
Social media personality and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing, popularly known as Blessing CEO, was on Friday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N36 million fraud.
Blessing was arraigned before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleged that the defendant received N36 million from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the pretence of securing a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
According to the commission, the representation made to the complainant was false and contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The agency further alleged that the funds were converted to personal use.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, told the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million to the nominal complainant and requested an adjournment to allow parties to resolve the outstanding balance.
He said:
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded N24 million out of the N36 million.”
He further added:
“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, opposed the application, insisting that the Federal Government of Nigeria, and not the nominal complainant, was the proper authority in the matter.
“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.”
Ruling on the application, Justice D.I. Dipeolu held that private settlement 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 defendant subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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 been served on Thursday and that a bail application was still being prepared. He requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of the bail application.
Justice Dipeolu granted the request and ordered that Blessing CEO be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.