The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended two prominent suspects linked to significant transnational financial crimes, including a $210,000 investment fraud and a ₦452 million charity scam.
In a statement released on Monday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi indicated that the arrests were executed by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja as part of an intensified effort against cybercrime and financial fraud.
The suspects have been identified as Robert Harms, a Canadian citizen, and Ms. Okeke Ogechi Njaka, a Nigerian. They were arrested during separate intelligence-led operations.
Harms was taken into custody on February 7, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while attempting to flee to Canada. He was sought in connection with a fraudulent Waste-to-Energy investment scheme that targeted Tepison Enterprises, a company based in Akwa Ibom State. The firm had transferred $210,000 after being misled by Harms, who convinced them they were investing in a legitimate Canadian project. The scheme involved the use of fake documents and a Bureau de Change in Abuja to divert funds to Dubai.
He was subsequently arraigned at the Federal High Court in Uyo on May 9, 2025, after criminal charges were filed on April 22. The court has ordered his remand at Uyo Custodial Centre, with the case adjourned to May 20, 2025.
In a separate incident, Ms. Okeke Ogechi Njaka was re-arrested on May 8 in Abuja. She had been declared wanted in 2021 for various offences, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, and criminal breach of trust. Njaka’s initial arrest occurred in Anambra State in January; however, she absconded after receiving administrative bail.
“Persistent intelligence-led efforts led to her re-arrest at a hideout in Abuja,” Adejobi confirmed.
Njaka is also facing prosecution alongside her NGO, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, for allegedly defrauding the public of ₦452,821,982 through a fraudulent medical aid scheme. Two others, Emeka Ezeogbo and Tolotolo Family Foundation, are being prosecuted in connection with the same case.
Reiterating the police’s commitment to tackling cyber and financial crimes, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant when engaging in international business 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 combat 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 concluded.
