The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday granted bail to a relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, for alleged cyber-bullying.
Justice Tijjani Ringim granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N10m with two sureties.
Other conditions of bail granted the applicant includes that one of the sureties must provide a certificate of occupancy or titled document registered with the Lagos State Government and must be within choice areas in the state and that must also be verified by the court through the Bureau of Land in Lagos.
The sureties must have their statement of account with a minimum of N10 million, amongst other steps for the defendant to be released.
The bail terms include; two passport photos must be provided, affidavits of means and letter from a lawyer and variable statements of accounts by the court from each of the sureties.
The applicant must also provide current utility bills from each of the sureties.
Blessing CEO was arraigned on a six-count charge of alleged cyber-bullying, libel and for exhibiting uncensored movies.
The charges against the her reads, “That you Blessing Okoro ‘F’ of No 1B Tunbosun Osoby Street off Kuboye Road Lekki, Lagos State on 16th October 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did intentionally send messages by means of Instagram network using your Instagram handle @officialblessingceo to bully, threaten and harass one Folashade Samuels aka Mamajazz in the following words :“Let’s ask Mamajazz where her father is??? Their father had exactly the same issue with their mother Ebele and he ran away for his dear life. IVD’s crime was that he was not man enough to run… ” and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24 (2) (a) (i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.
That you Blessing Okoro ‘F’ of No 18 Tunbosun Osoby Street off Kuboye Road Lekki, Lagos State on 16th October 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did intentionally send messages by means of Instagram network using your Instagram handle @officialblessingceo to bully, threaten and harass one Folashade Samuels a.k.a Mamajazz and harm the reputation of her late sister Bimbo Ogbonna in the following words: “The Family of late Bimbo is after IVD’s Properties and Life. Especially her elder sister Mamajazz. Bimbo and IVD are well known people in Lagos and it’s not a hidden fact that even in their estate that Bimbo is violent. Everybody knows how she breaks bottle on her husbands head on a daily … Bimbo killed herself and has always wanted to kill herself right from childhood. Evidence loading. All the voice notes and evidence will be on my YouTube and Facebook. Subscribe… ” and thereby committed an offence punishable.
Another charge reads, “That you Blessing Okoro ‘F’ of No 1B Tunbosun Osoby Street off Kuboye Road Lekki, Lagos State, sometime in January 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did exhibit a film and video work titled “Sweet Sour” without a censorship certificate as issued by National Film & video Censors Board and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 33 of National Film & video Censors Board Act, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Trouble began for Blessing CEO when Folashade Angela Samuels an elder sister to late Mrs. Abimbola Ogbonna, the wife of Ikechukwu Ogbonna, alias IVD, died in a fire incident in their home and had complained that Blessing CEO, a friend of Ikechukwu was allegedly bullying her.
Already, Ikechukwu Ogbonna is facing a two count charge of involuntary manslaughter and causing death by threat in charge number LD/21055C/2023 before Justice Nicole Clay of the Lagos State High court of Lagos State, Ikeja.
His trial commenced on March 30, 2023, the prosecution called two witnesses who gave evidence against the defendant, and continuation of trial adjourned till May 24 and 25, while Blessing CEO’s trial will begin on May 30.
