By Stephen Simon
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered the remand of social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Blessing Nkiruka Okoro, in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the commencement of her trial on September 24, 2026.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the influencer on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences, forgery, possession of false documents, fraudulent conversion and retention of proceeds allegedly derived from unlawful activities.
According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained a total of N13 million from members of the public by falsely claiming that she had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, including breast cancer. The commission further alleged that she used a forged medical report purportedly issued by a diagnostic centre to support the claim and solicit financial assistance from unsuspecting Nigerians.
When the matter came up for arraignment, EFCC counsel, 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. Following the reading of the charges, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The prosecution subsequently urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in custody pending the hearing of the case. Counsel to the defendant, Stanley Ofoegbu, informed the court that he had not yet filed a formal bail application and sought leave to make an oral application for bail or, alternatively, a short adjournment.
Justice Bogoro declined the request for an oral bail application and adjourned the matter until September 24, 2026, for trial. The judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until the next hearing date.
The charges against the defendant include allegations that she forged a medical report titled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report” and knowingly possessed and used the document to mislead members of the public. The EFCC further accused her of disguising the source of the N13 million allegedly obtained through the scheme and retaining the funds in her personal bank account.
The latest case adds to a growing list of legal troubles confronting the social media personality. On Tuesday, Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted her bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in a separate N36 million fraud case filed by the EFCC.
Also on the same day, the commission arraigned her before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on a two-count charge alleging the defrauding of Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Ltd of N69.15 million. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded pending the hearing of her bail application scheduled for July 16.
With three separate criminal cases now pending before different courts, Blessing CEO faces what could become one of the most closely watched legal battles involving a Nigerian social media influencer in recent years.
