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

Dalung gives Mutfwang 72-hour ultimatum to withdraw apology to Igbos over civil war role

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has criticised Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang over his recent apology to the Igbo community regarding the state’s role during the Nigerian Civil War, describing the governor’s remarks as a distortion of history and demanding that they be withdrawn.

Dalung, in a detailed statement released on Friday, faulted Mutfwang’s comments, arguing that they misrepresented the historical realities surrounding the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War and unfairly diminished the sacrifices made by Plateau indigenes who fought during the conflict.

The controversy stems from Governor Mutfwang’s remarks during an interactive session with Igbo leaders drawn from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State at the Government House in Jos. During the meeting, the governor apologised to the Igbo community for the role Plateau people played during the civil war, stating that many were “deceived” into participating in the conflict and expressing hope that the apology would strengthen reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

The governor also acknowledged the longstanding contributions of the Igbo community to the economic, commercial and social development of Plateau State, describing them as important partners in the state’s progress. He urged residents to continue promoting unity and mutual respect despite the painful memories of the civil war.

However, Dalung insisted that the governor’s explanation of Plateau’s involvement in the war lacked historical accuracy.

According to the former minister, portraying Plateau people as individuals who merely followed manipulation or deception into the conflict ignores the complex political and military events that culminated in the civil war.

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He argued that the roots of the conflict can only be understood by examining the January 15, 1966 military coup, the assassination of prominent political and military leaders, the subsequent counter-coup and the political tensions that eventually led to the declaration of the defunct Republic of Biafra and the outbreak of the war.

Dalung said reducing those historical events to a narrative that Plateau people were “cajoled” into fighting amounts to a disservice to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in defence of Nigeria.

“At best, it reflects a poor understanding of history; at worst, it is an ambitious attempt to discredit the sacrifices of great Plateau sons, many of whom laid down their lives in defence of Nigeria’s unity,” he said.

The former minister also questioned Governor Mutfwang’s authority to apologise on behalf of the people of Plateau State without broad consultation.

He argued that such a sensitive issue required engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, elders, elected representatives and other critical stakeholders before any official position could be presented as representing the state.

“On whose authority did he make such an apology? Did he consult the elders of Plateau State? Did he consult traditional rulers? Did he consult elected representatives, members of the National Assembly, the State Assembly or the people themselves? This is executive arrogance,” Dalung stated.

He further noted that Plateau State also suffered significant losses during the political crises preceding the civil war.

Dalung cited the killing of Colonel James Pam, whom he described as one of Plateau’s distinguished military officers, as evidence that the state was itself a victim of the violence that engulfed the country.

He also referenced former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, a Plateau indigene who led Nigeria throughout the civil war, arguing that Gowon’s historical role places him in a more appropriate position to comment on issues relating to the conflict if such interventions become necessary.

Sharing his personal experience, Dalung disclosed that the war claimed the lives of two of his uncles who had been sponsoring his education.

He said the issue was deeply personal and maintained that suggestions that Plateau men fought simply because they were deceived insulted the memories of those who died and questioned their patriotism and convictions.

“I am therefore a victim of that war. I cannot remain silent while someone suggests that my late uncles went to war because they were cajoled. Cajoled by whom?” he asked.

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The former minister subsequently gave Governor Mutfwang 72 hours to withdraw the statement and apologise to the people of Plateau State.

Despite his criticism, Dalung appealed to residents of Plateau State to continue living peacefully with members of all ethnic groups, including the Igbo community.

He stressed that the governor’s remarks should not be interpreted as the collective position of Plateau people and warned against reopening old wounds at a time when the state continues to battle recurring security challenges and communal tensions.

Dalung also urged political leaders across the country to avoid exploiting historical events for political purposes, saying national unity would be better served through dialogue, mutual respect and truthful engagement with history.

Governor Mutfwang’s apology has generated mixed reactions nationwide.

While some political observers and community leaders have described the governor’s remarks as a courageous attempt to promote reconciliation, healing and stronger inter-ethnic relations decades after the civil war, others have argued that such sensitive historical issues require wider consultation and careful interpretation to avoid creating fresh divisions.

The debate has once again highlighted the enduring emotional and political significance of the Nigerian Civil War, more than five decades after the conflict ended, as Nigerians continue to express differing views on how historical events should be remembered and addressed in the interest of national unity.

Dalung gives Mutfwang 72-hour ultimatum to withdraw apology to Igbos over civil war role

Counterterrorism: Military says air strikes kill 23 suspected ISWAP fighters in Borno

The Nigerian military says at least 23 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed in separate air strikes carried out in Borno State as troops intensified counterterrorism operations across Nigeria’s North-East.

The operations, conducted under Operation HADIN KAI, targeted suspected insurgent positions in Marte Local Government Area and along the strategic Bama–Maiduguri supply route, areas that have remained active theatres of insurgent activities in recent years.

According to military sources cited in counter-insurgency reports, the first operation was launched at about 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday after intelligence indicated the presence of suspected terrorists around KLA Balia in Marte LGA.

An Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, codenamed Guardian, reportedly detected three concealed vehicles positioned at different locations before identifying five suspected insurgents taking cover beneath a tree.

Following confirmation of the targets, the platform carried out what was described as a precision strike on the location. The initial bombardment reportedly killed the five visible suspects and triggered secondary explosions believed to have resulted from hidden explosives or ammunition stored in the area.

Military sources later assessed that the explosions increased the number of suspected insurgents killed in the operation to 15, although the casualty figures have not been independently verified.

A planned follow-up strike targeting the concealed vehicles was reportedly aborted after a malfunction affected the aircraft’s laser-targeting system, preventing accurate engagement of the remaining targets.

Despite the technical setback, military officials described the mission as operationally successful, saying it disrupted the activities of the insurgents, destroyed part of their logistics network and forced surviving fighters to abandon the area.

Security sources added that surveillance of the location has continued, with additional operations expected to target fleeing suspects and destroy the remaining vehicles.

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In a separate mission, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI reportedly killed eight additional suspected ISWAP fighters during a night combat operation conducted along the Bama–Maiduguri main supply route on July 22.

According to the operational report, helicopter crews observed muzzle flashes from an area previously identified by security agencies as a suspected insurgent training camp.

The crew reportedly fired probing rounds to verify hostile activity before coming under gunfire from the ground.

The aircraft subsequently responded with sustained aerial bombardment, which military sources said neutralised eight suspected insurgents, while others fled into surrounding bushes.

The latest operations form part of a broader military campaign aimed at disrupting ISWAP logistics, dismantling terrorist camps, preventing the movement of fighters and safeguarding major supply routes linking communities across Borno State.

In recent months, Operation HADIN KAI has intensified intelligence-led air and ground offensives against both ISWAP and Boko Haram, targeting hideouts, weapons storage facilities, logistics hubs and training camps in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The military has also reported recovering weapons, motorcycles, communication equipment and other operational materials during several counterterrorism missions designed to weaken the operational capabilities of insurgent groups.

The renewed offensive comes amid continued efforts by the Armed Forces to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement and restore security across the North-East, where insurgency has displaced millions of people over the past decade.

Although security agencies have recorded several operational gains, attacks by ISWAP and Boko Haram continue to pose threats in parts of the region, with insurgents occasionally launching ambushes on troops, attacking civilian communities and targeting strategic infrastructure.

Security analysts have consistently emphasised that sustained intelligence gathering, close coordination between air and ground forces and improved surveillance remain essential to preventing insurgents from regrouping and re-establishing operational bases.

The Nigerian military has reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups until lasting peace and stability are restored across the North-East.

Counterterrorism: Military says air strikes kill 23 suspected ISWAP fighters in Borno