By Paul Joseph
Social media personality and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has pleaded not guilty to a fresh six-count charge filed against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N13 million fraud.
The anti-graft agency accused the influencer of obtaining money from members of the public under false pretenses and retaining proceeds allegedly derived from fraudulent activities. The latest charges stem from petitions submitted by several individuals and organisations, including the Nigeria Cancer Society.
According to the EFCC, Blessing CEO allegedly used her social media platforms to solicit financial assistance after claiming she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer and required urgent funds for medical treatment.
The commission alleged that members of the public donated a total of N13 million based on the claims.
Investigators, however, reportedly discovered that medical documents presented in support of the fundraising campaign were allegedly falsified.
One of the charges alleged that the defendant obtained N13 million from unsuspecting Nigerians by falsely claiming she had been diagnosed with a terminal illness involving a left breast lump and invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features, despite allegedly knowing the representation was false.
The EFCC further accused her of forging a medical report titled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report,” purportedly issued by Xinus Medical Diagnostics, with the intention of securing financial benefits from members of the public.
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, as well as the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
When the charges were read in court, Blessing CEO pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
Following her plea, prosecution counsel, H. U. KofarNaisa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
Defence counsel, Stanley Ofoegbu, opposed the request and asked the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter for ruling on the bail application and the commencement of trial proceedings.
The fresh charges come amid ongoing legal battles involving the social media personality, who is already facing separate fraud-related allegations before the court. The case is expected to continue once the court delivers its decision on her bail application.
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