N69m fraud: Lagos court grants Blessing CEO N20m bail

n n

The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Thursday admitted social media personality, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, to bail in the sum of N20m in her ongoing trial over an alleged N69.15m fraud.

n

Justice Rahman Oshodi granted the defendant bail after considering her application, despite noting that the court was required to independently assess the seriousness of the allegations and the punishment prescribed by law.

n

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned Blessing CEO on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretences.

n

The anti-graft agency alleged that in March 2025, the defendant fraudulently obtained N69,150,000 from Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited under the pretext of securing a lease of a property in the Lekki area of Lagos.

n

She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

n

During proceedings on the bail application, the court sought clarification on the whereabouts of the defendant’s international passport.

n

In response, defence counsel informed the court that the passport had been lost and tendered an affidavit of loss together with public notices published to that effect.

n

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N20m with two responsible sureties in a like sum.

n

The judge ordered that each surety must provide a three-year bank statement or evidence of a fixed deposit valued at not less than N20m.

n

He further directed that the defendant and her sureties be profiled through the Lagos State Judiciary’s Bail Information Management System.

n

Justice Oshodi also ordered that the Nigerian Immigration Service be notified of the defendant’s travel restrictions pending the determination of the case.

n

The matter was thereafter adjourned to October 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.

n

n n