Police, EFCC Probe Blessing CEO Over Alleged Cancer Fraud, Forgery

Social media influencer Blessing Okoro, widely known as Blessing CEO, is facing investigations by law enforcement agencies over allegations of fraud and forgery tied to a disputed cancer claim.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed receipt of a petition against the influencer, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had begun examining claims of financial misconduct.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Bright Edafe, the Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State said, “We acknowledge the petitions; we are waiting for the complainants to come and give us their statement. We will thereafter investigate.”

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale also confirmed the development, stating, “There was a petition submitted; we received it and we are going to look into it. Whatever comes out of our findings will determine our next line of action.”

The controversy began after Okoro publicly claimed she was battling cancer, drawing widespread sympathy and financial donations. However, inconsistencies in her claims later triggered backlash, with many questioning the authenticity of the diagnosis.

The Delta State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association disowned a histology report linked to the influencer, stating that the document originally belonged to a breast cancer survivor, Deborah Mbara, and was issued in May 2025 by a medical facility in Asaba.

Mbara accused Okoro of manipulating her medical report to solicit funds. Through her lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, she filed a petition before the EFCC, urging a full investigation.

In the petition, Anyanwu said, “Our client is indeed traumatised and emotionally depressed as her medical records are now on social media, television houses, and other public spaces. It is only when the fraudster, Blessing Okoro, also known as Blessing CEO, is made to face the full weight of the law and compelled to refund all monies collected using our client’s medical report that justice will not only be done but seen to be done.”

Further detailing the allegations, Anyanwu added, “When we got the brief, we reached out to Blessing CEO. I introduced myself and she immediately apologised, saying she was on her way to Asaba. She later met with my client’s husband, and it was agreed that she would issue a public apology, which she failed to do.

“I told her the matter had gone too far, and she responded that controversy is what she thrives on. Do you understand the gravity of altering someone’s medical record to solicit funds from unsuspecting Nigerians? Our findings show she received over N300 million. She moved the funds from a GTBank account to another bank. That account was opened solely for this purpose.

“Someone donated N20m, yet she claims she received only N10m. Based on these findings, we had no choice but to file a formal petition before the EFCC.”

Okoro later retracted her earlier claim of having stage four cancer during an interview with a social media personality, admitting she raised about ₦13 million from the public but insisting she owed no apology.

Reacting to the allegations, legal expert Monday Ubani described the alleged conduct as criminal, stating, “That is clear deception and obtaining by false pretence which is a crime. She should be prosecuted. The police should investigate that matter and if it is found that she is lying and she has collected money, she should be prosecuted.

“If this is true, it is very shameful. Such a human being does not have a character. If she never had any cancer and came to the public and said she had cancer and later she came to retract and say she does not have and she does not want to return the money people have given to her, she must be a very cheap thief.”

The Nigerian Medical Association in Delta State said it was ready to support the investigation. The state chairman, Dr Israel Adaigho, noted, “The case has already been taken up by Deborah’s legal representatives, and we are ready to testify if invited.”

The consultant pathologist who issued the original report, Dr A.O. Odigwe, said his earlier statement through the association reflected his position, adding that further action would depend on “unfolding developments.”

The Nigerian Cancer Society also condemned the alleged false claims and called for a thorough probe by relevant authorities.