The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two suspects in connection with a series of high-profile cyber and financial crimes, including a $210,000 fake investment scheme and a N452 million charity fraud.
In a statement issued Monday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja confirmed the arrests of Robert Harms, a Canadian national, and Ms. Okeke Njaka, a Nigerian, following separate operations led by INTERPOL operatives.
Robert Harms was apprehended for allegedly defrauding Tepison Enterprises, an Akwa Ibom-based company, of $210,000 in a fraudulent Waste-to-Energy investment deal.
According to police findings, Harms was introduced to the company through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023.
He allegedly convinced the firm to invest in a non-existent Canadian project by promising a $30,000 return within four weeks.
“Under this pretence, Tepison Enterprises transferred $210,000 to secure a fabricated ‘capital project bond,’” the police said.
Investigations revealed that Harms forged a “Project Bridge Loan Agreement” and transferred the funds through a Bureau de Change in Abuja to a bank account in Dubai. He also falsely claimed a partnership with VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, a claim refuted by the company’s CEO.
“Further inquiries confirmed that Harms had no legitimate affiliation with VDQ-NRG Systems Limited,” the statement said.
Harms was arrested on February 7, 2025, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to flee to Canada. He reportedly confessed to receiving the funds and breaching the investment terms.
He was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Uyo, on May 9, 2025, following charges filed on April 22. The court ordered his remand at the Uyo Custodial Centre and adjourned the matter to May 20, 2025.
In a related case, INTERPOL re-arrested Ms. Okeke Njaka, who had been on the run after initially being arrested on January 4, 2025, in Anambra State for multiple cybercrime-related offences including cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and fraud.
“Investigations revealed Njaka’s active involvement in cyberstalking and cyberbullying through multiple social media platforms, where she maliciously distributed nude photos and videos of her victims,” the police said.
Njaka, who was declared wanted in 2021 via a Special Police Gazette Bulletin, was re-arrested in Abuja on May 8, 2025, and is scheduled for arraignment at the Federal High Court on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Her NGO, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, is under prosecution for allegedly defrauding the public of N452,821,982 under a fake medical assistance program. The case involves her associates Emeka Ezeogbo and the Tolotolo Family Foundation, currently being prosecuted at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Reiterating the police’s commitment to fighting cyber and financial crimes, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in their dealings, especially in cross-border transactions.
“The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM once again emphasises its unyielding resolve to combatting all forms of transnational financial crimes and urges members of the public to exercise utmost caution and due diligence before entering into high-value international agreements and to promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies,” the statement read.
The police further advised Nigerians to carry out due diligence and immediately report any suspicious financial activities to the appropriate authorities.
