Again, controversial social media influencer and relationship therapist, Blessing Nkiruka Okoro, alias Blessing CEO, has been arraigned and remanded in the custody of Nigeria Correctional Services, Ikoyi till next legal year September 24, 2026 when her trial is to commence.
Justice Yellim Bogoro of a Federal High Court, in Ikoyi, Lagos ordered her remand on Wednesday.
The defendant was charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a six-counts charge bordering on obtaining the sum of N13 million from unsuspecting citizens under false pretence, forged medical report, possession of false documents, conversion and retention of N13 million property of unsuspecting citizens.
When the matter was called for arraignment, Counsel to the prosecution, H.U. Kofanaisa, Esq., informed the court that the Commission has filed a 6-counts charge against the defendant before the court.
The counsel prayed for the charge to be read out for the defendant to take her plea.
Counts 1 to 6 read:”That you Okoro Blessing Nkiruka (a.k.a Blessing CEO) a female adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did obtain the total sum of N13,000,000 (Thirteen Million Naira) from unsuspecting citizens under the false pretense of being diagnosed with a terminal illness to wit: left breast lump and an invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular feature, which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you Okoro Blessing Nkiruka (a.k.a Blessing CEO) a female adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly forged a medical report titled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report”, purported to have emanated from Xinus Medical Diagnostics knowing same to be false with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting citizens and you thereby committed and offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Okoro Blessing Nkiruka (a.k.a Blessing CEO) a female adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court had in your possession a document containing false pretence tilled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report”, wherein you held yourself as being diagnosed with a terminal illness to wit: left breast lump and an invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular feature, which information you knew Io be false and you thereby committed and offence contrary to Sections 6 and 5 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3} of the same Act.
“That you Okoro Blessing Nkiruka (a.k.a Blessing CEO) a female adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in the disguise of the true source of the aggregate sum of N13,000,000 (Thirteen Million Naira) which sum you knew forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, etc) Act, 2004.
“That you Okoro Blessing Nkiruka (a.k.a Blessing CEO) a female adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently converted to your own use the sum of N13,000,000 (Thirteen Million Naira), property of unsuspecting citizens and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Okoro Blessing Nkiruka (a.k.a Blessing CEO) a female adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly retained the sum of N13,000,000 (Thirteen Million Naira), property of unsuspecting citizens in your personal account number 0714151181 domiciled with GT Bank PLC, which sum you knew forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activities and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18 (1) {d) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, etc) Act, 2004.”
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of the not guilty plea of the defendant, EFCC prosecutor asked for a date for commencement of trial and further asked the court to remand the defendant till the next adjourned date for trial.
However, counsel to the defendant, Stanley Ofoegbu told the court that though he was yet to file a bail application, but prayed to make oral application or a very short date for trial.
The court declined the request for oral application and adjourned till September 24, 2026 for trial.
The court held, “This matter is adjourned to September 24, 2026 for trial.
“The defendant is to be remanded in the custody of Nigeria Correctional Services.
Earlier, Blessing CEO, was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja over an alleged N69.1m Fraud
EFCC charged her to court on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N69,150,000.
At the commencement of the proceedings, counsel to the prosecution, Chineye Okezie, urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, arguing that the defendant had been duly served with the charge.
However, counsel to the defendant, Nkama Nneka, informed the court that service of the charge had only recently been effected.
The court held that the arraignment should proceed in accordance with the law, hence the charges were subsequently read to the defendant.
One of the counts read: “That you, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, on or about March 21, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, induced Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited to confer a benefit of N69,150,000 (Sixty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) on you under the representation that the property located at No. 1 Tunbosun Osobu Street, Lekki, belonged to you and was leased to the company for a period of five years, a representation you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(2) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.”
Count two reads: “That you, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, on or about March 21, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N69,150,000 (Sixty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), being the property of Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited, thereby committing an offence of stealing contrary to Section 280(2) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”
She pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her.
Following her plea, Okezie asked for a trial date and further prayed the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending her scheduled arraignment before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on June 10, 2026, over an alleged fraud case.
Justice Oshodi remanded the defendant in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter till July 16, 2026 for the hearing of the bail application and the commencement of trial.
Relatedly, Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, granted bail to Blessing Nkiruka Okoro in an alleged N36m fraud case.
The defendant was granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must be a family member and is required to provide proof of employment, Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and a valid phone number.
The sureties must also submit a valid international passport, tax clearance certificates for the last two years, and six passport photographs.
The defendant is facing a two-count charge filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of N36 million.
