The many troubles of Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, appear to have deepened following her arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N36 million fraud case.
Blessing Okoro, a self-styled relationship therapist and social media personality, was arraigned on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a two-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence and stealing.
According to the EFCC, the influencer allegedly obtained and converted the sum of N36 million unlawfully.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million to the petitioner and requested a short adjournment to allow time to settle the outstanding balance.
“We are asking for a short adjournment to resolve the outstanding balance. The nominal complainant agreed that if the balance is paid, they can prevail on the EFCC to drop the case,” the lawyer said.
However, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, maintained that the matter was a criminal case involving the Federal Government and not a private settlement between parties.
“The complainant here is the Federal Government of Nigeria, and we are here for the arraignment. We urge that the defendant take her plea,” he stated.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that any settlement discussions between the defendant and the petitioner would not stop the court process and directed that Blessing Okoro take her plea.
