Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, Enugu State, has denied the bail application of Blessing Amaka David-Agwa, an alleged fake fertility nurse, and ordered an accelerated hearing of her trial.
Blessing Amaka David-Agwa is being prosecuted by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 45-count charge bordering on impersonation, forgery, and obtaining by false pretense, amounting to N28,278,600. Investigations revealed that she allegedly forged certificates from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to present herself as a qualified fertility nurse capable of assisting women to conceive easily. This deception reportedly enabled her to defraud 45 unsuspecting victims.
On October 22, 2024, the defendant was arraigned and pleaded not guilty, paving the way for her trial. Her counsel, G. C. Madubuegwu, filed a bail application under Sections 162 and 165(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, appealing for bail under liberal terms. However, the EFCC counsel, Blessing N. Obasi, opposed the application, emphasizing the grave psychological impact of the alleged fraud on the victims and arguing that the charges were substantial.
In his ruling delivered on November 12, 2024, Justice Umar held that the defense failed to provide sufficient grounds to warrant granting bail. Consequently, the application was denied, and the judge directed an accelerated hearing. The case was adjourned to November 21, 2024, for trial.
The charges against the defendant include multiple counts of obtaining money under false pretenses. For instance, Count 41 states that Blessing Amaka David-Agwa fraudulently collected N1,600,000 from one Okenwa Joy Chiamaka, claiming to be a specially trained fertility nurse, an assertion she knew to be false. Similarly, Count 24 alleges she defrauded Amarachi Okpala of N1,250,000 under the same pretense. These acts are said to contravene Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006, and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
The court's firm stance underscores its commitment to ensuring justice is served in a case that has left numerous victims financially and emotionally devastated. As the trial unfolds, the public remains hopeful that the judicial process will deliver a fair and decisive outcome.
