The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned social media influencer, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of obtaining money under false pretences through a purported cancer treatment appeal.
The defendant, popularly known as Blessing CEO, was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Yelim Bogoro at the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to the EFCC, the influencer faces a six-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, forgery, and retention of proceeds of crime involving about N13 million.
The anti-graft agency said the charges followed petitions received from individuals, groups, and the Nigeria Cancer Society, alleging that donations were made to the defendant after she claimed on social media that she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer and required financial assistance for treatment.
Investigations reportedly revealed that documents presented in support of the fundraising campaign were allegedly falsified.
One of the charges alleges that Blessing CEO obtained N13 million from members of the public by falsely claiming to have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, including a left breast lump and invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features.
The EFCC also accused her of knowingly forging a medical report purportedly issued by a diagnostic facility in order to gain financial advantage from unsuspecting donors.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read in court.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel, H. U. KofarNaisa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the commencement of proceedings.
Defence counsel, Stanley Ofoegbu, appealed for a short adjournment to enable him file a bail application on behalf of his client.
Justice Bogoro subsequently adjourned the case until September 24, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.
The case is expected to draw significant public attention given the defendant’s prominence on social media and the nature of the allegations.
