The Bayelsa State Police Command has apprehended a woman, Ogechi Gift Okechukwu, and a medical doctor from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent fundraising scheme. The pair is accused of deceiving members of the public by falsely claiming that Ogechi needed urgent financial assistance for a surgical operation.
The Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Musa Muhammed, confirmed the arrest to THE WHISTLER on Monday. According to reports, Ogechi, who is believed to be a nurse, collaborated with the doctor whose identity has not yet been disclosed to fabricate medical records, prescriptions, and surgical details, all aimed at convincing people she was gravely ill.
To make the scam more believable, Ogechi allegedly presented fake scan results, pretended to undergo a blood transfusion, and even shared photographs of herself on a hospital drip. Her medical background and previous professional associations added credibility to the deception, making it easier to gain the sympathy and trust of unsuspecting donors.
The fraudulent scheme came to light after Iwaoma Susan Joseph, a Facebook influencer who unknowingly helped raise N800,000 for Ogechi, discovered inconsistencies in her story and raised an alarm. Joseph had initially believed Ogechi’s appeal and mobilized support for her through social media. However, after realizing the scam, she alerted the public.
Another Facebook user, Vivian Udoka, also shared insights into the incident. Udoka revealed that Ogechi had assisted her during her pregnancies and delivered her three children. This personal connection had made it difficult for many to doubt Ogechi’s claims, as she had seemingly earned their trust through her professional conduct.
The police were able to apprehend Ogechi and the doctor after incriminating evidence was found on her phone. Conversations between the two suspects reportedly contained detailed discussions about their fraudulent plan, providing enough proof for the authorities to take swift action. Both suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
Further details from the ongoing investigation indicate that Ogechi had a legitimate medical condition in 2021. She was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction, which caused her to vomit blood-mixed excreta. Although she eventually recovered, she allegedly decided to exploit her previous illness to stage the scam.
In October 2024, Ogechi approached the Demi Care Foundation, claiming she still needed financial assistance to cover medical expenses. Jennifer Owolabi, who sympathized with her, introduced her case to the foundation. Believing her story, the organization launched a crowdfunding campaign, successfully raising over a million naira.
A representative of the Demi Care Foundation said, “She conducted video calls from FMC Yenagoa, appeared with a fake drip, and staged the entire act to deceive us. We demand a thorough investigation into the role of the doctor whose signature appears consistently on her prescriptions.”
