Two high-profile individuals have been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force for their suspected involvement in a string of cyber and financial crimes, notably a $210,000 investment scam and a N452 million charity fraud scheme.
The arrests of Robert Harms, a Canadian national, and Ms. Okeke Njaka, a Nigerian, were confirmed on Monday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, in a statement obtained by Persecondnews.
The INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja orchestrated these separate operations with the collaboration of INTERPOL operatives.
Robert Harms was arrested over a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, a company based in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
Acting on a petition filed by the firm, police investigations revealed that Harms was introduced to the company through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023.
He allegedly convinced Tepison Enterprises to invest $210,000 in a fake Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada 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.
Further investigation showed that Harms had forged a “Project Bridge Loan Agreement” and transferred the funds through a Bureau de Change in Abuja to an account in Dubai.
He also falsely claimed affiliation with VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, a claim denied 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 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on February 7, 2025, while attempting to flee to Canada.
He reportedly admitted to receiving the money and violating the investment agreement.
He was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Uyo, on May 9, 2025, after criminal charges were filed on April 22. The court ordered that he be remanded in Uyo Custodial Centre, with the case adjourned to May 20, 2025.
In another operation, INTERPOL re-arrested Ms. Okeke Njaka, who is wanted for cybercrimes and large-scale financial fraud.
Njaka was first arrested in Anambra on January 4, 2025, over allegations including cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and obtaining money under false pretences but later jumped bail and went into hiding.
“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 was declared wanted in 2021 via a Special Police Gazette Bulletin and was re-arrested on May 8, 2025, in Abuja.
She is scheduled to be arraigned before the Federal High Court on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Njaka’s non-governmental organisation, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, is also under prosecution for its alleged role in defrauding the public of N452,821,982 in a fake medical assistance scheme.
The foundation, alongside its associates, Emeka Ezeogbo and Tolotolo Family Foundation, is facing prosecution at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Reaffirming the commitment of the police to fight cyber and financial crime, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, urged Nigerians to be cautious in international business dealings.
“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.
It urged the public to conduct due diligence before entering into major transactions and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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