The Lagos State Special Offences Court has granted social media influencer Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, bail in the sum of ₦20 million in her ongoing trial over an alleged ₦69 million fraud.
Justice Rahman Oshodi granted the application after hearing submissions from both the defence and the prosecution.
Blessing CEO was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in June on charges bordering on obtaining money under false pretences and stealing. She pleaded not guilty to all the charges, while the prosecution urged the court to remand her in EFCC custody pending the commencement of trial.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Oshodi stated that the court was duty-bound to independently evaluate the allegations and the relevant legal provisions before determining whether bail should be granted.
The court ordered the defendant to provide two responsible sureties, each to execute a ₦20 million bond.
The sureties must also submit either bank statements covering the past three years or evidence of a fixed deposit of at least ₦20 million.
Justice Oshodi further directed that both the defendant and her sureties undergo verification through the Lagos State Judiciary’s Bail Information Management System.
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During the proceedings, the court requested the defendant’s international passport. In response, her counsel presented an affidavit declaring the passport missing, alongside a newspaper publication announcing its loss.
The judge subsequently ordered that the Nigerian Immigration Service be notified of the defendant’s travel restrictions pending the resolution of the passport issue.
The matter was adjourned until October 12, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
Blessing CEO is also facing a separate two-count charge before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi over the alleged obtaining of ₦36 million under false pretences and theft.
