Court grants Blessing CEO N20m bail in alleged N69.15m property fraud case

Court grants Blessing CEO N20m bail in alleged N69.15m property fraud case

Social media personality and relationship coach Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been granted N20 million bail by a Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja in her ongoing trial over an alleged N69.15 million property fraud.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, who presided over the case, admitted the defendant to bail with two sureties in like sum, ruling that although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not oppose the application, the court was still required to independently evaluate the nature of the charges, the applicable law and the likelihood of the defendant standing trial before exercising its discretion.

In delivering the ruling, the judge also considered submissions by the defence regarding the whereabouts of Blessing CEO’s international passport after her legal team informed the court that the travel document had been misplaced and presented supporting evidence.

As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered that each surety must provide evidence of financial capacity, including a three-year bank statement or proof of fixed deposits valued at not less than N20 million. The defendant and her sureties are also required to undergo verification through the Lagos State Judiciary’s Bail Information Management System (BIMS) before the bail can be perfected.

Justice Oshodi further directed the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to place the defendant on a travel watch list pending the determination of the case, effectively restricting her from leaving Nigeria without the court’s approval.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 12, 2026, for the continuation of trial.

The EFCC arraigned Blessing CEO on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing, offences she allegedly committed in connection with a property transaction in Lagos. She pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to her.

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According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N69.15 million from Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited in March 2025 after allegedly representing that she could secure a five-year lease of a property located in Lekki, Lagos.

The prosecution alleged that the representation was false and that the money was dishonestly obtained under the guise of facilitating the property transaction.

The EFCC further argued that the alleged offences contravene Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

During the bail proceedings, the prosecution maintained that it was prepared to proceed with trial, while the defence urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the defendant had cooperated with investigators and remained willing to attend all court proceedings.

The court ultimately ruled that the constitutional presumption of innocence entitled the defendant to bail, provided adequate conditions were imposed to ensure her appearance throughout the trial.

The case has attracted widespread public attention because of Blessing CEO’s prominence on social media, where she has built a large following through relationship advice, celebrity commentary and lifestyle content.

The latest proceedings also come as the influencer continues to face another pending criminal matter before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, where she is standing trial in a separate alleged fraud case involving about N36 million. Both cases remain before the courts, and no verdict has been delivered.

Legal analysts note that the outcome of the ongoing trial will depend entirely on the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence, while reiterating that under Nigerian law, every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Court grants Blessing CEO N20m bail in alleged N69.15m property fraud case