A Federal High Court in Lagos, arraigned social media influencer, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over alleged N36 million fraud.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate-1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Okoro before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.
She was arraignment on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
Defence counsel, P.I. Nwafor, informed the court that the defendant had refunded N24 million out of the N36 million allegedly obtained from the petitioner.
Plea for Short Adjournment
Nwafor prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable parties resolve the outstanding balance.
He added that the nominal complainant had agreed to persuade the EFCC to discontinue the matter if the defendant paid the balance.
Responding, prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, told the court that the prosecution was not aware of any arrangement between the defendant and the nominal complainant.
Suleiman maintained that the complainant in the matter was the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He urged the court to proceed with the arraignment and plea of the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu held that discussions between the defence and the nominal complainant could continue during the pendency of the case without affecting court proceedings.
One of the charges alleged that Okoro, between July 14 and July 17, 2024, obtained N36 million from Mrs Ifeyinwa Okoye under the false pretence.
“She said the money was to lease a six-bedroom detached duplex located at No. 1B, Tunbosun Osobu Street, off Kuboye Road, Lekki, Lagos State.
“The representation was false and contravened provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The second charge alleged that the defendant fraudulently converted the N36 million to her personal use, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Act.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Call for Remand
The prosecution applied for trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
The defence counsel told the court that the defendant only received the service on Thursday and that efforts were underway to file her bail application.
He consequently prayed the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Justice Dipeolu granted the application and remanded the defendant in EFCC custody.
The case was adjourned until June 5, for commencement of trial.
