The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has remanded media personality and self-styled relationship coach Blessing “Blessing CEO” Okoro in Kirikiri Correctional Centre over an alleged N13 million cancer donation fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the 36-year-old before Justice Yelim Bogoro on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retaining proceeds allegedly linked to a fundraising campaign in which she claimed to be battling stage-four breast cancer.
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According to the anti-graft agency, the charges stem from petitions submitted by individuals and groups, including the Nigeria Cancer Society, following allegations that Blessing CEO solicited donations from members of the public using claims that she was undergoing cancer treatment.
In April, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Blessing CEO announced her stage four cancer diagnosis and solicited public funds. She confirmed she received N13 million in public donations.
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Blessing CEO, however, disappeared and later reappeared online to issue a public apology to Nigerians who requested refunds of their donations after a doctored cancer report about Deborah Mbara, the creative director of Zazi Beauty Place, a Delta-based makeup company.
The EFCC alleged that documents presented in support of the fundraising campaign were later discovered to have been falsified.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all six counts when the charges were read to her.
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Following her arraignment, the court ordered that she be remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Innocence
Reacting to the development, Blessing, CEO, confirmed that she had been remanded and maintained her innocence.
“I’m facing three charges with EFCC,” she wrote. “The third is the cancer drama involving N13 million donated, with the girl claiming I doctored her test result.”
The relationship coach said she remained optimistic despite spending 26 days in EFCC custody before her arraignment.
“I pleaded not guilty to all the charges after spending 26 days in EFCC custody. I have now been remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre while my bail is being perfected,” she stated.
Optimism
Additionally, Blessing CEO expressed hope that she would overcome the legal battle.
She attributed her predicament to God’s plan to use her for His ministry.
“If God wants to use you, He puts you through fire like Yakubu so that I will manage, because this story is my biggest breakthrough. Watch God turn this into a big stepping stone. Thank you to EFCC for the free publicity. Make me your brand ambassador, but you’ll have to pay me so I can educate people about crime. The full story is with my lovers. Just put me in your prayers, I’m coming back stronger.
“They’ve locked all my accounts, so if I call to beg you for money, please don’t be vexed. To all my lovers, thank you. I see the love. Thank you. See you all soon. Kirikiri is in Apapa. Feel free to bring food and visit me on weekends. Bloggers are welcome”, she noted.
Previously fraud charges
On Tuesday, the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 announced that it arraigned Blessing CEO before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged N69.15 million fraud.
The commission said the two-count charge bordered on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
When proceedings began, prosecution counsel C.C. Okezie urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, noting that the defendant had been duly served with the charge.
Defence counsel Nkama Nneka, however, told the court that service of the charge had only recently been effected.
Justice Oshodi ruled that the arraignment should proceed in accordance with the law, and the court subsequently read the charges to the defendant.
Plead
However, Blessing’s CEO pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to her.
Mr Okezie, therefore, requested a trial date. He prayed the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending her scheduled arraignment before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, for another alleged fraud case.
READ ALSO: Alleged ₦36m Fraud: Court reserves ruling on Blessing CEO’s bail application
Justice Oshodi consequently 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.
Earlier bail
This newspaper gathered that Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, granted Blessing CEO, who is being prosecuted for an alleged N36m fraud, bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must be a family member and must provide proof of employment, Bank Verification Number (BVN), National Identification Number (NIN), and a valid phone number.
The sureties must also submit valid international passports, tax clearance certificates for the last 2 years, and 6 passport photographs.
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