The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Enugu Zonal Directorate has charged Blessing David-Agwa, a fake fertility nurse, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar at the High Court in Enugu State’s Independence Layout.
On Wednesday, the EFCC made the announcement in a statement posted to X.com.
David-Agwa’s legal difficulties began on August 28, when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency turned her over to the EFCC for investigation and possible prosecution after it was determined that she had been acting as a reproductive nurse to swindle unsuspecting victims.
Investigations found that the defendant allegedly faked certificates from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to falsely market herself as a medical fertility nurse, claiming to help women get pregnant with ease.
The EFCC discovered that she had successfully scammed over 45 women using bogus claims.
David-Agwa was charged with 45 counts of fraudulent impersonation, forgery, and acquiring money under false pretences, totalling N28,278,600.
One of the charges stated: “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 sum of One Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,600,000) from Okenwa Joy Chiamaka, under the pretence of being a Medical Fertility Nurse (specially trained to assist women to become pregnant with ease), which pretext you knew to be false, thereby committing 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.”
Another count claimed that she illegally acquired N1,250,000 from Amarachi Okpala under the guise of being a fertility nurse.
David-Agwa has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
Following her plea, EFCC counsel Blessing Obasi sought a trial date and asked the court to send the defendant to the Enugu State Correctional Facility. In response, defence counsel G. C. Madubuegwu filed an application for bail on October 4, 2024, citing provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. He sought that the judge grant bail on lenient terms.
Obasi opposed the bail application, claiming that the gravity of the allegations and the emotional impact on the victims merited the defendant’s ongoing custody.
After hearing both parties, Justice Umar postponed the case until November 12, 2024, for a verdict on the bail application and ordered the defendant to be held at the Enugu State Correctional Facility.