The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest and arraignment of two high-profile suspects in connection with separate cases of cybercrime, investment fraud, and financial misconduct. The arrests were carried out by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, in a renewed push against transnational financial crimes.
In a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police revealed that a Canadian national, Robert Harms, was apprehended for allegedly defrauding an Akwa Ibom-based company of over $200,000 in a fake investment scheme.
Harms, according to the police, was introduced to Tepison Enterprises through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023. He allegedly lured the company into investing in a fictitious Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada. Under this pretense, Tepison transferred $210,000 to secure what was described as a “capital project bond,” with an expected return of $30,000 in four weeks—a promise that never materialized.
Investigations revealed that Harms forged investment documents and diverted the funds through a Bureau de Change in Abuja to a Dubai-based account. He was arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 7, 2025, while attempting to flee to Canada. The CEO of the Canadian company Harms claimed to represent later denied any knowledge of him.
Harms has since admitted to receiving the funds and violating the terms of the agreement. He was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Uyo on May 9, 2025, and remains in custody at the Uyo Custodial Centre pending the next hearing on May 20.
In a separate operation, INTERPOL officers also re-arrested Ms. Okeke Ogechi Njaka, a Nigerian national wanted for multiple cybercrimes, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, and criminal breach of trust. Njaka was initially declared wanted in 2021 following a petition filed on behalf of her victim, Hajia Maryam Shehu.
Investigators said Njaka used social media platforms to harass and blackmail her victims by sharing their intimate photos and videos. She was first arrested in January 2025 in Anambra State but later absconded after jumping administrative bail. She was re-arrested on May 8 in a hideout in Abuja and is scheduled to be arraigned today, May 13, at the Federal High Court.
In addition, Njaka’s NGO, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, is facing prosecution for allegedly defrauding donors of over N452 million in a fake medical assistance scheme. The case also implicates two other parties: Emeka Ezeogbo and the Tolotolo Family Foundation.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to eradicating cyber and financial crimes and urged the public to exercise caution when entering into international financial agreements. He also encouraged citizens to report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.