In a significant stride against transnational financial crimes, the Nigeria Police Force, through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, has apprehended two high-profile suspects for their involvement in large-scale cybercrime and investment fraud.
The statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday by Police force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi reveals that the suspects, a Canadian national, Robert Harms, and a Nigerian, Ms. Okeke Ogechi Njaka are facing multiple charges ranging from cyberstalking to investment fraud and breach of trust.
Robert Harms was arrested on February 7, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he attempted to flee to Canada. According to police, Harms defrauded Tepison Enterprises, based in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, of $210,000 through a fictitious investment scheme.
“Harms was introduced to the company by a Polaris Bank account officer and lured them into investing in a fake Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada,” said ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer. “He promised a $30,000 return within four weeks, which never materialised.”
Investigations also revealed that Harms forged a Project Bridge Loan Agreement and funneled the funds through a Bureau de Change in Abuja to an account in Dubai. He falsely claimed affiliation with a Canadian firm, VDQ-NRG Systems Limited. However, the CEO of the company denied any association with him.
Harms was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Uyo on May 9, 2025, and was remanded at the Uyo Custodial Centre. The case has been adjourned to May 20, 2025.
In a separate operation, INTERPOL NCB Abuja also re-arrested Ms. Okeke Ogechi Njaka on May 8, 2025, in Abuja. Njaka had been declared wanted in a 2021 Police Gazette Bulletin for alleged involvement in multiple cyber offences, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, and breach of trust.
“She was initially apprehended in Anambra State earlier this year but absconded after jumping administrative bail,” said Adejobi. “Our team tracked and re-arrested her in a hideout in Abuja.”
Njaka was first reported in 2020 by Hajia Maryam Shehu, who was represented by M.I. Tsav & Co. Legal Practitioners. Police say Njaka distributed nude images and videos of victims via social media platforms in a campaign of cyber harassment.
She is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
In addition to the charges against Njaka, her non-governmental organisation, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, is also under investigation. Alongside Emeka Ezeogbo and the Tolotolo Family Foundation, the NGO faces charges related to a medical assistance scam worth N452,821,982.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, reaffirmed the Force’s determination to tackle cyber and financial crimes.
“We urge Nigerians to exercise due diligence before committing to high-value international transactions and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement,” said Adejobi.