Police arraign two high profile suspects for cybercrime, fraud

The Nigeria Police Force, through its INTERPOL National Central Bureau, NCB, in Abuja, has arrested and arraigned two high-profile suspects involved in major transnational financial and cybercrimes.

The suspects are facing separate charges of investment fraud, cyberstalking, and financial deception.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday. 

One of the suspects, Robert Harms, a Canadian citizen, was apprehended in connection with a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

The company had filed a formal complaint alleging that Harms, introduced to them in June 2023 via a Polaris Bank account officer, lured them into investing $210,000 in a fake Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada.

According to investigators, Harms created a fake “Project Bridge Loan Agreement” and facilitated the transfer of the funds to an account in Dubai using Allah Mai Girma Bureau de Change in Abuja.

Further checks revealed that Harms had no legitimate connection to VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, the Canadian company he claimed to represent. The company’s CEO denied any association with him.

Harms was arrested by INTERPOL operatives at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 7, 2025, while attempting to flee to Canada.

He reportedly admitted to receiving the funds and breaching the investment agreement. He was formally charged at the Federal High Court in Uyo on April 22 and arraigned on May 9, 2025.

The court remanded him at Uyo Custodial Centre, with the next hearing scheduled for May 20.

In a separate operation, Ms. Okeke Ogechi Njaka, a suspect long wanted for multiple cybercrime and fraud offences, was re-arrested in Abuja on May 8, 2025.

She faces allegations including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, cheating, and breach of trust.

The case against Njaka dates back to September 2020, following a petition by Hajia Maryam Shehu, represented by Abuja-based law firm M.I. Tsav & Co.

Investigations found that Njaka had shared explicit photos and videos of her victims across social media platforms, allegedly as part of a campaign of harassment.

Declared wanted via a police bulletin in 2021, Njaka was first arrested in Anambra State in January 2025 but fled after being granted administrative bail.

Her re-arrest came after a sustained intelligence-led operation.

She is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja today, May 13, 2025.

Njaka’s NGO, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation,  is also under prosecution for allegedly defrauding the public of N452.8 million through a bogus medical assistance scheme.

The case, involving co-defendants Emeka Ezeogbo and Tolotolo Family Foundation, is being heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja.