The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, on Wednesday arraigned social media influencer Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over an alleged fresh ₦13 million fraud.

She was brought before Justice Yelim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on a 6-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retaining proceeds of unlawful activities.

According to EFCC, the charges followed petitions from members of the public and organizations including the Nigeria Cancer Society. The Commission alleged that Blessing CEO solicited donations on social media by claiming she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer and needed funds for treatment.

EFCC said investigations later revealed that the medical documents she presented to support the diagnosis were falsified. The anti-graft agency accused her of obtaining money under false representation and retaining funds donated by people who responded to the appeal.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges. After the arraignment, Justice Bogoro ordered her remand at Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail conditions.

Blessing CEO later confirmed her remand in a Facebook post, stating she had spent 26 days in EFCC custody before being brought to court. She maintained she remained in “high spirits” and thanked supporters for their prayers.

This is separate from two other fraud cases she’s facing: an alleged ₦36m tenancy fraud and an alleged ₦69.15m property fraud. She has pleaded not guilty in those cases as well.

Sources: EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 statement, Vanguard, TheNigeriaLawyer, Blessing CEO Facebook post.