N13m Medical Scam: Social media influencer, Blessing CEO remanded till Sept 24
Blessing CEO arraigned by EFCC
BY PETER FOWOYO
A Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of social media influencer Blessing Nkiruka Okoro , (A.K.A Blessing CEO) in the custody of Nigeria Correctional Services, Ikoyi Lagos till September 24, 2026 for the commencement of her trial.
The Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Blessing Nkeiruka Okoro, before Yellim Justice Bogoro on a 6-count charge of forging medical report, possession of false documents of being diagnosed with a terminal illness to wit: left breast lump and an invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular feature, which representation she knew to be false .
She was also arraigned for knowingly forged a medical report titled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report”, purported to have issued by Xinus Medical Diagnostics knowing same to be false with intent to gain advantage for herself from unsuspecting citizens.
Blessing was also charged for obtaining the sum of N13 million from unsuspecting public on the guise of medical fee support and retaining the said sum of N13 million property of unsuspecting citizens
When the matter was called for arraignment, EFCC prosecutor H.U. Kofanaisa Esq. informed the court that the Commission has filed 6-counts charge against the defendant before the court and urged the court to make an order for the charge to be read for the defendant to take her plea .
Having granted plaintiff’s application, the 6 count charge was read and the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Consequent upon the not -guilty plea of the defendant, the prosecutor asked for a trial date and the remand of the defendant.
However, counsel to the defendant Mr Stanley Ofoegbu told the court that though he was yet to file a bail application, but prayed the court to allow him make an oral application for bail or in the alternative a very short date for trial.
The court declined the request for oral application for bail and adjourned trial till September 24, 2026.
“This matter is adjourned to September 24, 2026 for trial.The defendant is to be remanded in the custody of Nigeria Correctional Services” Justice Bogoro ruled.
The six count against the defendant reads:
“That you OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA (A.K.A BLESSING CEO) (female), adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did obtain the total sum of N13,000,000 (Thirteen Million Naira) from unsuspecting citizens under the false pretense of being diagnosed with a terminal illness to wit: left breast lump and an invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular feature, which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA (A.K.A BLESSING CEO) (female), adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly forged a medical report titled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report”, purported to have emanated from Xinus Medical Diagnostics knowing same to be false with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting citizens and you thereby committed and offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA (A.K.A BLESSING CEQ) (female}, adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court had in your possession a document containing false pretence tilled “Histopathology/Cytopathology Report”, wherein you held yourself as being diagnosed with a terminal illness to wit: left breast lump and an invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular feature, which information you knew Io be false and you thereby committed and offence contrary to Sections 6 and 5 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3} of the same Act.
“That you OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA (A.K.A BLESSING CEO) (female), adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in the disguise of the true source of the aggregate sum of N13,000,000 (Thirteen Million Naira) which sum you knew forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, etc) Act, 2004.
“That you OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA (A.K.A BLESSING CEQ) (female), adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently converted to your own use the sum of N13,000,000 (Thirteen Million Naira), property of unsuspecting citizens and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you OKORO BLESSING NKIRUKA (A.K.A BLESSING CEO) (female), adult sometime in 2026 in Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly retained the sum of N13,000,000 (Thirteen Million Naira), property of unsuspecting citizens in your personal account number 0714151181 domiciled with GT Bank PLC, which sum you knew forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activities and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 18 (1) {d) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, etc) Act, 2004
