Nigeria Police arrest Canadian, Nigerian over $210,000 fraud

The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended two prominent suspects in connection with significant transnational financial crimes, including a $210,000 investment scam and a ₦452 million fraudulent charity scheme.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arrests were executed by operatives of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja as part of heightened efforts to combat cybercrime and financial fraud across borders.

The suspects were identified as Robert Harms, a Canadian national, and Ms Okeke Ogechi Njaka, a Nigerian citizen. They were detained in separate intelligence-driven operations.

Harms was apprehended on 7 February 2025 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while attempting to depart for Canada. He had been implicated in a fraudulent Waste-to-Energy investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, an Akwa Ibom-based company.

The company had transferred $210,000 after being misled by Harms into believing it was investing in a legitimate Canadian project. The scheme, introduced via a staff member of Polaris Bank, involved forged documents and the use of a Bureau de Change in Abuja to transfer the funds to Dubai.

He was subsequently charged at the Federal High Court in Uyo on 9 May 2025, following the filing of charges on 22 April. The court ordered his remand at the Uyo Custodial Centre, with the case adjourned to 20 May 2025.

In a separate development, Ms Okeke Ogechi Njaka was re-arrested on 8 May in Abuja. She had been declared wanted since 2021 for various offences, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, and criminal breach of trust. Although initially detained in Anambra State in January, she absconded after being granted administrative bail.

“Persistent intelligence-led operations led to her re-arrest at a hideout in Abuja,” Adejobi confirmed.

Njaka is facing prosecution alongside her non-governmental organisation, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, for allegedly defrauding the public of ₦452,821,982 through a fictitious medical aid fundraising scheme. Two other individuals, Emeka Ezeogbo and Tolotolo Family Foundation, are also facing trial in connection with the case.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the force’s commitment to tackling cyber and financial crimes, urging Nigerians to exercise caution when engaging in high-value international business transactions.

“The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of IGP Kayode Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM, remains resolute in addressing all forms of transnational financial crimes and advises citizens to exercise utmost care and diligence before committing to significant international dealings, while promptly reporting any suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities,” the statement read.