The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Enugu Zonal Directorate has arraigned Blessing David-Agwa, a fake fertility nurse, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar at the Federal High Court in Independence Layout, Enugu State.
In a statement posted on X.com on Wednesday, the EFCC revealed that David-Agwa’s criminal activities came to light on August 28 when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) handed her over to the anti-corruption agency for further investigation and possible prosecution. She had allegedly presented herself as a certified medical fertility nurse, deceiving and defrauding unsuspecting victims.
Investigations disclosed that David-Agwa had forged certificates from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, falsely presenting herself as a specialist in helping women conceive easily. She successfully defrauded over 45 women, who believed her fraudulent claims.
The EFCC stated that David-Agwa was arraigned on 45 charges of fraudulent impersonation, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretence, totaling N28,278,600.
The statement read, “Count 41 of the charge reads ‘That you, Blessing Amaka David-Agwa, sometime in 2024 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, did obtain the total sum of One Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,600,000.00) only from one Okenwa Joy Chiamaka, under the pretense of being a Medical Fertility Nurse (specially trained to assist women to get pregnant with ease), which pretext you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.’
“Count 24 of the charge reads: ‘That you, Blessing Amaka David-Agwa, sometime in 2024 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, did obtain the total sum of One Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N1,250,000.00) from one Amarachi Okpala, under the pretence of being a Medical Fertility Nurse (specially trained to assist women to get pregnant with ease), which pretext you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant was said to have pleaded not guilty to all counts when they were read to her.
Because of her pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Blessing Obasi, reportedly prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility.
The statement added, “However, the defense counsel, G. C. Madubuegwu, informed the court about a pending motion on notice for bail, dated 4th October 2024, and filed on the same date. ‘It is brought according to Section 162 and 165(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,’ he said. After moving the said application, he prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms.
“Obasi vehemently opposed the application for bail on the grounds that the allegation against the defendant was a serious one, citing the mental health impact on the victims.”
After listening to both sides, Justice Umar reportedly adjourned the matter to November 12, 2024, for a ruling on the bail application.
The defendant was thereafter remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility.
