EFCC Awaits Petition Before Acting on Blessing CEO Controversy

EFCC Awaits Petition Before Acting on Blessing CEO Controversy

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained why it is yet to take action against social media personality, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over the controversy surrounding her cancer fundraising claims.

The anti-graft agency said no formal complaint has been lodged before it, stressing that it cannot act solely on public outrage or social media reactions.

A source within the commission said calls for the arrest and investigation of the influencer cannot be acted upon without a credible petition to trigger due process.

“Everybody is saying EFCC should arrest Blessing CEO, but nobody has placed a petition before the commission. As an anti-corruption agency, we cannot work on social media agitation or frenzy without a credible petition that will authorise us to act,” the source said.

The controversy began in January when Blessing CEO announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and appealed for public donations to fund her treatment. Her claim, however, sparked widespread skepticism, with critics accusing her of misleading the public.

Amid the backlash, the influencer clarified that she sought financial support as a precaution before confirming the full cost of treatment. She also declined to release her medical records publicly, citing privacy concerns, and later described the episode as a “miscommunication.”

Blessing further disclosed that she received N13 million in donations, disputing reports that she raised as much as N100 million.

However, the issue took another turn when a businessman, Alafaa Kariboye-Igbo, claimed he transferred N20 million to her and demanded a refund, intensifying calls for a probe.

The EFCC maintained that a petitioner is essential not only to initiate investigations but also to serve as a witness if the matter proceeds to court.

“If we go by social media agitation and there is a need to go to court, who is going to serve as a witness? Who are we going to say has petitioned the commission?” the source queried.

The commission urged individuals who feel aggrieved to come forward with evidence, including proof of transactions, to enable it to act.

“Place facts before us, and we act on them. If somebody obtains money by false pretence, they are liable to investigation, but there must be evidence,” the source added.

The EFCC’s position underscores its insistence on due process, even as public scrutiny around the case continues to grow.