Social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist Blessing CEO has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦13 million fraud linked to donations reportedly solicited from members of the public.
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 brought the influencer, whose real name is Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, before Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday on a fresh six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retaining alleged proceeds of crime.
According to the anti-graft agency, the case followed petitions from several individuals and groups, including the Nigeria Cancer Society.
The EFCC alleged that Blessing CEO received donations after claiming on social media that she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer and needed financial assistance for treatment.
Investigators further alleged that documents presented to support the health claims were later found to have been falsified, leading to the fresh charges.