A social media influencer, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud involving N13 million reportedly raised from members of the public through a purported cancer appeal.
The influencer was brought before Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC.
According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO is facing a fresh six-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences, forgery, and retention of alleged proceeds of unlawful activities amounting to N13 million.
The EFCC said the charges followed petitions submitted by several individuals and organisations, including the Nigeria Cancer Society.
The petitioners alleged that they made financial donations after the defendant used her social media platforms to claim she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer and needed support for medical treatment.
Investigations by the commission reportedly revealed that the medical documents presented to support the appeal were falsified.
One of the charges alleged that the defendant obtained N13 million from members of the public by falsely claiming she had been diagnosed with a terminal illness involving a left breast lump and invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features.
The EFCC further alleged that Blessing CEO knowingly forged a medical document titled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report,” which was purported to have originated from Xinus Medical Diagnostics, with the intention of gaining financial advantage from unsuspecting donors.
When the charges were read in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Following her plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, H. U. KofarNaisa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.
Counsel to the defendant, Stanley Ofoegbu, appealed for a short adjournment to enable the defence file a formal bail application.
After hearing both parties, Justice Yelim Bogoro adjourned the matter until September 24, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre.
