The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding influencer Blessing, stating that no formal petition has been filed against her despite widespread outrage.
The controversy began in January when Blessing Okoro, known
as Blessing CEO, announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and
appealed to the public for financial assistance to cover the cost of her
surgery.
The announcement was met with significant skepticism, with
many accusing her of fabricating the illness to solicit money.
Last Thursday, Blessing explained that she had sought public
support early as a financial precaution, even before knowing the exact cost of
the procedure.
Facing continued criticism on Friday, the Internet
personality defended her refusal to publicly share her cancer test results,
citing medical privacy rules.
Blessing CEO, who had earlier come out on social media to
claim she has ‘stage 4’ cancer, later described the entire episode as a
“miscommunication”.
Blessing also revealed that she received N13 million in
public donations, not the widely circulated N100 million.
Her explanations have, however, been met with intensified
criticism on social media. Alafaa Kariboye-Igbo, the CEO of Karib Oil and Gas
Limited, countered her claim, arguing he transferred N20 million to Blessing.
He demanded a refund of the money.
Reacting to the matter on Monday, a source within the EFCC
said the commission has not received any formal petition against Blessing CEO.
The source emphasized that the agency does not act based on
social media agitation but requires a legitimate complainant to initiate an
investigation.
“Everybody is saying EFCC should arrest Blessing CEO. But
nobody has placed a petition before the EFCC CEO. 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
The official further explained that a petitioner is
necessary to serve as a witness if the case goes 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 advised that any aggrieved person should come
forward with evidence, including receipts of donations made to Blessing.
“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.
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