The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, arraigned social media influencer, Blessing Okoro, widely known as Blessing CEO for alleged N13m cancer fraud.
Her arraignment before Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, is the latest in the series of charges proffered against her by the EFCC.
EFCC had on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, arraigned the social media influencer for alleged N69m fraud before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
In May, she was also arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged N36 million rent fraud.
According to the EFCC, the fresh six-count charge borders on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N13m.
In a statement shared on social media, the EFCC said her arrangement follows the receipt of several petitions from individuals and groups, including the Nigeria Cancer Society.
The anti-graft agency explained that the petitioners allegedly made donations to the defendant after her social media posts claiming that she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer and seeking financial support for treatment.
However, the claims were later discovered to be false.
One of the counts 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 pretence of being diagnosed with a terminal illness, to wit: left breast lump and 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.”
Another count 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, 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.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to her.
Following her plea, the prosecution counsel H. U. KofarNaisa, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre.
Responding, counsel to the defendant, Stanley Ofoegbu, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable him file a bail application on behalf of the defendant.
Justice Bogoro, consequently, adjourned the matter till September 24, 2026, for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a Correctional centre.
