The Nigeria Police Force INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has arrested Canadian national Robert Harms for allegedly defrauding Tepison Enterprises, a Nigerian company, of $210,000 in a fake investment scheme.
Police spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday. The case followed a petition by Tepison Enterprises, based in Akwa Ibom State, accusing Harms of fraudulently inducing them to invest in a non-existent Waste-to-Energy project in Canada.
Investigations revealed that Harms fabricated a false Project Bridge Loan Agreement to secure the funds. The money was subsequently routed through Allah Mai Girma Bureau de Change in Abuja to an account in Dubai. Adejobi disclosed that further inquiries confirmed Harms had no legitimate connection with VDQ-NRG Systems Limited, the Canadian firm he claimed to represent. The company’s CEO also denied any affiliation with him.
Harms was arrested on February 7, 2025, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while attempting to flee Nigeria. He admitted to receiving the funds and breaching the investment agreement.
Formal charges were filed at the Federal High Court, Uyo, on April 22, 2025. Harms was arraigned on May 9, 2025, and subsequently remanded at the Uyo Custodial Centre. The case has been adjourned to May 20, 2025, for further hearing.
