A Nigerian court has denied bail to Blessing Amaka David-Agwa, an alleged fake fertility nurse accused of defrauding 45 women of over 28 million naira ($37,000) under false pretenses, judicial sources said on Tuesday.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected the bail application and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case, citing insufficient grounds presented by the defense.
David-Agwa faces 45 charges of impersonation, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretenses. Prosecutors allege she forged nursing and university certificates to pose as a fertility nurse capable of helping women conceive.
“The allegations are weighty and have significantly affected the victims’ mental health,” said EFCC counsel Blessing Obasi in opposing the bail application.
The defendant, who pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Oct. 22, is accused of defrauding victims by claiming she was specially trained to assist women in getting pregnant.
One of the charges accuses David-Agwa of obtaining 1.6 million naira from a victim under false pretenses, in violation of Nigeria’s Advance Fee Fraud Act.
The trial is set to begin on Nov. 21.
($1 = 768 naira)