EFCC Reveals Why Blessing CEO Hasn’t Been Arrested And Probed Over Cancer Saga

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed why the agency has not arrested controversial influencer Blessing CEO despite the public backlash online.

The issue started in January when Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and asked the public to support her financially for surgery.

Her claim quickly sparked doubts, with many social media users accusing her of making up the illness to raise money.

Last Thursday, Blessing explained that she decided to ask for help early as a precaution, even before she knew the exact amount the surgery would cost.

As criticism continued on Friday, the social media personality defended her decision not to release her medical test results publicly, saying patient privacy rules prevented her from doing so.

Blessing CEO, who had earlier claimed online that she was battling stage 4 cancer, later said the entire issue was the result of a misunderstanding.

She also clarified that she received N13 million in donations from the public, contrary to the widely shared claim that she got N100 million.

However, Alafaa Kariboye-Igbo, the chief executive of Karib Oil and Gas Limited, challenged her statement, insisting that he personally sent her N20 million and demanded that the money be returned.

Speaking on the matter on Monday, a source within the EFCC said the commission cannot take action because no one has officially filed a complaint.

The source explained that the agency does not act based on online pressure or social media outrage alone, but needs a proper petition from a credible complainant before starting an investigation.

“Everybody is saying EFCC should arrest Blessing CEO. But nobody has placed a petition before the EFCC.

“As an anti-corruption agency, we cannot work on social media agitation, social media frenzy, without a credible petition that will authorise us to work on it,” the source said.

According to the source, such a complainant would also be needed as a witness if the matter eventually gets 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 asked.

“So we expect that people who are so passionate about arrest and who are calling that, ‘oh, the EFCC should do this, the EFCC should do that’, we expect them to come forward and bring a petition that will authorise us, that will give us a legitimate ground to act on the matter. So as an agency, we are organised. Place facts before us, and we act on them.”

The source added that those calling for Blessing CEO’s arrest should come forward with a formal petition that gives the commission legal grounds to act.

The EFCC official stressed that once clear facts and evidence are presented, the agency will respond appropriately.

The source also advised anyone who believes they were misled to submit proof, including payment receipts or records of donations sent to Blessing.

The official noted that if it can be proven that money was obtained under false pretence, the matter would fall within the EFCC’s investigative powers.

“Everybody knows that if somebody obtains anything by false pretence, they are liable to EFCC investigation if it can be established. This is the receipt of the money she collected. They should come forward with receipts and evidence,” the source added.

KanyiDaily recalls that Blessing CEO recently reacted to criticism from people demanding that donations made for her medical treatment should be refunded.