Popular social media influencer Blessing Okoro, popularly called Blessing CEO, has been remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service over allegations of forgery and medical fraud.
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of the accused pending the commencement of her trial on September 24, 2026.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged Okoro with collecting money under false pretense, forgery, possession of forged papers, fraudulent conversion, and retention of proceeds of alleged illegal acts totaling N13 million.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel H.U. Kofanaisa informed the court that the anti-graft agency had filed a six-count charge against the defendant and asked that the charges be read to her for a plea.
Following the reading of the allegations, Blessing CEO pled not guilty to all counts.
According to the EFCC, the defendant reportedly received N13 million from members of the public by falsely claiming to have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, especially a left breast lump and invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular characteristics.
The EFCC further alleged that she forged a medical document titled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report,” purportedly issued by Xinus Medical Diagnostics, and used the document to solicit financial assistance from unsuspecting individuals.
The prosecution also accused her of possessing and using the allegedly forged medical report, concealing the source of the N13 million received from donors, fraudulently converting the funds to her personal use, and keeping the money in her personal bank account despite knowing it was the proceeds of illegal activity.
Following her plea, the prosecution sought the court to set a trial date and hold the defendant pending the hearing.
The defendant’s counsel, Stanley Ofoegbu, advised the court that, while he had not yet submitted a formal bail application, he would like to make an oral bail application or request a short adjournment.
Justice Bogoro denied the oral application, stating that no formal bail application was before the court.
He then delayed the case for trial until September 24, 2026, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos.
The current arraignment comes only a day after Okoro was granted bail in another criminal matter.
On June 9, 2026, Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted her bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in the same amount in a separate N36 million fraud case filed by the EFCC.
She was also arraigned on the same day before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on a two-count allegation of defrauding Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited of N69.15 million.
Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded pending the hearing of her bail application, which has been adjourned for July 16, 2026.
