Nigerian Police Arrest Canadian, Nigerian Nationals Over Cybercrime, Transnational Fraud

The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended two suspects a Canadian national, Robert Harms, and a Nigerian citizen, Okeke Njaka for their alleged involvement in cybercrime and transnational financial fraud.

In a statement issued by police spokesperson CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arrests were executed in separate operations coordinated by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja.

Robert Harms was arrested on February 7, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to flee the country. The police linked Harms to a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, an Akwa Ibom-based company.

According to investigators, Harms was introduced to the firm in June 2023 via a Polaris Bank official. He convinced the company to invest $210,000 in a supposed Waste-to-Energy project in Canada, promising a $30,000 return within four weeks—a pledge that went unfulfilled.

Further investigation revealed that Harms fabricated a fake "Project Bridge Loan Agreement" and diverted the funds to a Dubai-based account through a bureau de change in Abuja. Authorities also confirmed he had no ties to the Canadian firm, VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, which he falsely claimed to represent.

Following his arrest, Harms reportedly confessed to receiving the funds and breaching the agreement. Formal charges were filed at the Federal High Court, Uyo, on April 22, 2025. He was arraigned on May 9 and remanded at the Uyo Custodial Centre. The case is set for hearing on May 20, 2025.

In a separate case, INTERPOL re-arrested Okeke Njaka on May 8 in Abuja after she absconded from administrative bail following her initial arrest in Anambra State on January 4.

Njaka is facing multiple cybercrime charges, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust. She is also accused of distributing explicit images and videos of victims on social media platforms.

The case stems from a 2020 complaint filed by Maryam Shehu, represented by the legal firm M.I. Tsav & Co. Njaka was declared wanted in 2021 via a Special Police Gazette Bulletin and is expected to appear before the Federal High Court on May 13, 2025.

Additionally, Njaka’s NGO, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, is under investigation for a N452.8 million medical aid scam. She will be prosecuted alongside Emeka Ezeogbo and the Tolotolo Family Foundation at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Police spokesperson Adejobi reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to tackling transnational crime. He urged Nigerians to practice due diligence in international financial dealings and to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities