The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended two high-profile suspects over alleged involvement in a series of cyber and financial crimes, including a $210,000 investment scam and a ₦452 million charity fraud.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja coordinated the operations that led to the arrest of Robert Harms, a Canadian citizen, and Ms Okeke Ogechi Njaka, a Nigerian national.
Harms was accused of orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, based in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
According to the police, Harms was introduced to the company in June 2023 through a Polaris Bank account officer and persuaded the firm to invest $210,000 in a fictitious Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada, with the promise of a $30,000 return within four weeks.
The funds were reportedly transferred to secure a bogus “capital project bond.” Investigations revealed that Harms forged a “Project Bridge Loan Agreement” and channelled the money through a Bureau de Change in Abuja to an account in Dubai.
He also falsely claimed to represent VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, a claim the company’s CEO has categorically denied. Harms was arrested by INTERPOL operatives on February 7, 2025 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while attempting to flee to Canada. He admitted to receiving the funds and breaching the agreement.
He was formally charged at the Federal High Court in Uyo on 22 April and remanded following arraignment on May 9. The case has been adjourned to May 20, 2025.
In a separate development, INTERPOL also re-arrested Ms Okeke Njaka, who is facing multiple cybercrime charges including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, fraud, and breach of trust.
The case originated in 2020 after a complaint was lodged by Hajia Maryam Shehu, represented by M.I. Tsav & Co. Law Firm. Investigators found that Njaka had maliciously shared nude images and videos of her victims via social media platforms.
She was declared wanted via a Police Gazette Bulletin in 2021 and was first arrested in Anambra State on January 4, 2025. However, she later absconded after being granted administrative bail. She was re-arrested on May 8, 2025 in Abuja.
Njaka is also linked to the Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, which is being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding the public of ₦452,821,982 in a fake medical assistance scheme, in collaboration with Emeka Ezeogbo and the Tolotolo Family Foundation.
She is scheduled to appear before the High Court on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to combating cross-border financial crime and advised the public to exercise due diligence when entering high-value international deals.