Police arrest Canadian, Nigerian over N452m, $210,000 alleged fraud
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended two individuals — a Canadian and a Nigerian — in connection with major cyber and financial fraud cases amounting to N452 million and $210,000.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arrests were made by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja.
The suspects, identified as Robert Harms, a Canadian citizen, and Ms. Okeke Njaka, a Nigerian national, were arrested in separate operations linked to two major scams — a fraudulent charity scheme and a bogus investment deal.
Harms was allegedly involved in a fraudulent investment scheme that defrauded Tepison Enterprises, an Akwa Ibom-based company, of $210,000. Police investigations revealed that Harms was introduced to the company through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023. He reportedly persuaded the firm to invest in a fictitious Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada, promising a return of $30,000 within four weeks — a promise that never materialised.
“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. She 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.
The police encouraged the public to conduct due diligence before entering into major transactions and to report any suspicious activities promptly.
