The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested two high-profile suspects wanted for investment fraud and cybercrime in the ongoing fight against transnational financial crimes in the country.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Police disclosed that the two suspects were arrested by its National Central Bureau (NCB).
According to the statement, “Following a meticulous investigation, INTERPOL NCB Abuja successfully apprehended Robert Harms, a Canadian national, in connection with a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.”
It explained that the investigation was initiated following a formal petition by the company alleging that Harms, introduced through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023, fraudulently induced them to invest in a fictitious waste-to-energy project in Canada.
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Under this pretence, Tepison Enterprises transferred $210,000 to secure a fabricated “capital project bond,” with promises of a $30,000 return within four weeks—returns that never materialised.
Investigations revealed that Harms fabricated a fraudulent Project Bridge Loan Agreement and orchestrated the transfer of funds to an account in Dubai through Allah Mai Girma Bureau de Change in Abuja.
Further inquiries confirmed that Harms had no legitimate affiliation with VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, the Canadian company he falsely claimed to represent. The CEO of VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, when contacted, denied any knowledge of or association with Harms. Harms was apprehended by INTERPOL operatives on 7 February 2025, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to flee to Canada.
The statement added that Harms admitted to receiving the funds and violating the investment agreement, while formal criminal charges were filed at the Federal High Court, Uyo.
In a separate operation, INTERPOL NCB Abuja also successfully re-apprehended Ms Okeke Ogechi Njaka, who is wanted for a series of cybercrimes and fraud-related offences, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.
The statement pointed out that these arrests underscored the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to tackling both financial and cyber-related threats.
It further stated that the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, emphasised its unyielding resolve to combat all forms of transnational financial crime. It urged 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.
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