Nigerian Police have announced the arrest of a Canadian man and a Nigerian woman in connection with transnational financial crimes and cyber offences.
Robert Harms, a Canadian national, was apprehended at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on 7 February as he attempted to leave the country. Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that the arrest was made by the Police INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in the capital.
Mr Harms is alleged to have defrauded a company based in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, named Tepison Enterprises. According to police, he was introduced to the firm in June 2023 by a bank official and persuaded them to invest $210,000 in a supposed Waste-to-Energy project in Canada, promising a return of $30,000 within four weeks. This return, police say, never materialised.
The police investigation reportedly found that Mr Harms created a false loan agreement and arranged for the funds to be transferred to an account in Dubai via a bureau de change in Abuja. Authorities also confirmed that he had no connection to a Canadian company, VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, which he claimed to represent. The company’s chief executive officer denied any knowledge of Mr Harms when contacted.
Following his arrest in February, police say Mr Harms admitted to receiving the money and breaching the agreement. He was formally charged at the Federal High Court in Uyo on 22 April 2025 and arraigned on 9 May 2025. He has been remanded in custody at the Uyo Custodial Centre, with the case adjourned until 20 May 2025.
Separately, the INTERPOL NCB announced the re-arrest of Okeke Njaka. Ms Njaka had been on the run after initially being arrested in Anambra State on 4 January and subsequently released on bail. She was re-apprehended in Abuja on 8 May.
Police say Ms Njaka is wanted for a series of cybercrime-related offences, including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, obtaining money under false pretences, and criminal breach of trust. Investigations allegedly link her to the distribution of nude photos and videos of victims on social media.
The case originated from a complaint filed in September 2020 by Maryam Shehu. Ms Njaka had been declared wanted in 2021. She is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court on Wednesday, 14th May.
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