Police arrest two high-profile cyber criminals in Abuja, arraign suspects in court

By Kingsley Omonobi

The Nigeria Police Force, through its INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja, has announced the arrest of two high-profile suspects involved in investment fraud and cybercrime amounting to $210,000 and ₦452,821,982.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the arrests highlight the Police Force’s commitment to combating financial and cyber-related crimes.

Canadian national Robert Harms was apprehended for a fraudulent investment scheme targeting Tepison Enterprises, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. The investigation was initiated following a petition by the company, which alleged that Harms, introduced through a Polaris Bank account officer in June 2023, deceived them into investing $210,000 in a fake Waste-to-Energy Project in Canada.

Under the pretense of securing a “capital project bond,” Harms promised a $30,000 return within four weeks, which never materialized. Further investigations revealed that Harms forged a Project Bridge Loan Agreement and transferred the funds to an account in Dubai via Allah Mai Girma Bureau de Change in Abuja.

It was confirmed that Harms had no legitimate ties to VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, the Canadian company he claimed to represent. The CEO of VDQ-NRG Systems denied any knowledge of Harms.

Harms was arrested by INTERPOL operatives on February 7, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to flee to Canada. He admitted to receiving the funds and breaching the investment agreement. Criminal charges were filed at the Federal High Court, Uyo, on April 22, 2025. He was arraigned on May 9, 2025, and remanded at the Uyo Custodial Centre, with the case adjourned to May 20, 2025.

In a separate operation, INTERPOL NCB Abuja re-arrested Ms. Okeke Ogechi Njaka, wanted for multiple cybercrimes, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretenses, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.

The case against Njaka began in September 2020, following a report by Hajia Maryam Shehu, represented by M.I. Tsav & Co. Legal Practitioners & Notaries Public, Abuja. Investigations revealed Njaka’s involvement in cyberbullying and cyberstalking through social media, where she maliciously shared nude photos and videos of her victims.

Njaka was declared wanted through a Special Police Gazette Bulletin in 2021. She was initially arrested in Anambra State on January 4, 2025, but absconded after being granted administrative bail. Intelligence-led operations led to her re-arrest on May 8, 2025, in Abuja.

Njaka is set to be arraigned before the Federal High Court on May 13, 2025. Her NGO, Ogechi Helping Hands Foundation, is also facing prosecution for allegedly obtaining ₦452,821,982 in a medical assistance scam, along with Emeka Ezeogbo and Tolotolo Family Foundation.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to tackling transnational financial crimes, urging the public to exercise caution and report suspicious activities to law enforcement.