The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Blessing Amaka David-Agwa, a fake fertility nurse, in Enugu for allegedly defrauding over 45 women of N28,278,600 in a shocking fertility scam.
The suspect, accused of impersonating a medical professional, promised desperate women specialized fertility treatments and swindled millions from them.
Blessing Amaka David-Agwa was brought before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu on a 45-count charge of fraudulent impersonation, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
The EFCC revealed that David-Agwa posed as a fertility nurse with supposed expertise in assisting women with pregnancy, deceiving many into parting with huge sums of money.
In one count, she allegedly obtained N1.6 million from a victim, Okenwa Joy Chiamaka, while claiming to offer fertility services. Another victim, Amarachi Okpala, was swindled out of N1.25 million under similar false pretenses.
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David-Agwa pleaded not guilty to all charges. EFCC’s counsel, Blessing N. Obasi, requested the court to set a trial date and remand the defendant in custody due to the severity of the crime and its impact on the victims’ mental health. The defense, however, applied for bail, which the EFCC opposed. The court adjourned the case to November 12, 2024, to rule on the bail application, with the suspect currently remanded in Enugu State Correctional Facility.
David-Agwa’s fraudulent activities were exposed when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) handed her over to the EFCC in August 2024 for investigation. It was discovered that she had forged certificates from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to support her deceitful claims.
The EFCC revealed that David-Agwa preyed on over 45 women, offering false hope of fertility treatment in exchange for substantial payments. Her arrest has raised alarms about the rise of medical fraud and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking critical health services in Nigeria.
