Popular self-styled relationship therapist and social media personality Blessing Okoro will remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through the weekend after a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered her remand in connection with an alleged ₦36 million fraud case.
The controversial influencer was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, where she faced charges bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent conversion of funds.
According to the EFCC, Blessing allegedly collected ₦36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024, under the claim that she was securing a six-bedroom duplex located in Lekki, Lagos.
Investigators said the representation was false and violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The anti-graft agency also accused her of converting the money for personal use, an offence punishable under Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act.
Inside the courtroom, Blessing’s CEO pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before the court.
Her lawyer immediately informed the judge that attempts were already being made to settle the dispute privately with the complainant.
According to the defence counsel, Blessing had already refunded ₦24 million out of the disputed ₦36 million and was seeking time to complete payment of the outstanding balance.
“We have an application to make. The defendant approached the nominal complainant and refunded ₦24 million out of the ₦36 million,” the lawyer told the court.
He further claimed the complainant was willing to persuade the EFCC to discontinue the case once full repayment was completed.
However, EFCC prosecuting counsel S.I. Suleiman pushed back strongly against the argument, insisting that criminal proceedings could not simply disappear because of a private arrangement between parties.
“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment,” he stated.
Justice Dipeolu agreed with the prosecution and ruled that any settlement discussions would not stop the criminal trial from proceeding.
“The defence and the nominal complainant can have discussions even during the pendency of the charge. It does not affect the proceedings before the court,” the judge ruled before ordering her remand in EFCC custody pending bail hearing.
The matter was adjourned until June 5, 2026, for trial.
The fraud case adds to an already turbulent period for the Blessing CEO, who has remained at the centre of multiple controversies in recent months.
Earlier this year, she faced intense public criticism over allegations connected to a cancer fundraising campaign that sparked outrage online.
In April, the EFCC confirmed receiving petitions accusing the influencer of cyberbullying, forgery, and allegedly using a manipulated medical report to solicit financial support from the public.
The controversy began after Blessing publicly claimed she was battling breast cancer and appealed for help.
However, the Nigerian Medical Association in Delta State and Xinus Medical Diagnostics reportedly denied issuing the medical report she presented.
Reports alleged that the document originally belonged to another patient identified as Deborah Mbara before it was allegedly altered.
The situation escalated further after the Nigerian Cancer Society reportedly petitioned the EFCC, DSS, and police, warning that such allegations could damage public trust in genuine cancer awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts.
With the latest court proceedings now underway, public attention is once again firmly fixed on one of Nigeria’s most controversial online personalities, whose legal troubles appear far from over.
