Ikeji Rejects Fraud Claims, Alleges Business Sabotage Amid OCCRP Investigation

Chairman of Zube Sunstar Group of Companies and founder of the Nzube Ikeji Foundation, Henry Nzubechukwu Ikeji, has dismissed allegations linking him to a $2.5 million romance and investment scam, describing the claims as defamatory, malicious and part of an orchestrated attempt to sabotage his business interests.

Ikeji’s response follows a February investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which alleged that he and another Nigerian, Dr Martins Abhulimhen, impersonated a Dubai prince and his financial manager to defraud a Romanian businesswoman identified only as Laura.

In an official press statement issued in Abuja, Ikeji said the allegations were “100 per cent false” and had no factual or evidentiary basis, insisting that he has never been involved in fraud, romance scams or impersonation of any kind. He accused unnamed individuals of using digital and conventional media platforms to circulate false narratives aimed at damaging his reputation and disrupting ongoing business projects.

OCCRP alleged that Ikeji posed as a member of Dubai’s royal family to initiate contact with the woman on LinkedIn, presenting himself as a philanthropist interested in humanitarian investments. The organisation said the interaction later evolved into a romantic relationship, during which the woman was persuaded to transfer large sums of money for purported engagement and investment purposes.

The investigation further alleged that the woman was directed to London to meet the prince’s supposed financial manager, identified by OCCRP as Abhulimhen, who allegedly used the alias “Dr Mathew Croos.” According to OCCRP, more than $2.5 million was transferred over nearly two years, with British authorities tracing portions of the funds to Abhulimhen’s accounts in the United Kingdom and to accounts linked to Ikeji in Nigeria.

The report also pointed to the public visibility of the suspects, noting that both men appeared frequently at high-level events and social gatherings with senior Nigerian officials and prominent business figures, a factor OCCRP said helped project legitimacy around the alleged scheme.

Ikeji rejected those conclusions, insisting that his relationship with Abhulimhen was strictly professional and limited to legitimate business engagements. He said Abhulimhen was introduced to him as an intermediary and translator on a licensing project involving the Federal Ministry of Environment and accused him of turning hostile after gaining insight into the project.

According to Ikeji, the dispute escalated into what he described as blackmail and false allegations after he resisted attempts to sideline him from the venture. He described the claims as a failed attempt to hijack the project.

He also denied any connection to Dubai, saying he has never travelled to the emirate and that his international travel history is verifiable by the relevant authorities. Ikeji further said he does not know of, nor any association with, a Romanian woman, dismissing the central claim of the investigation as fabricated.

Beyond the alleged fraud, Ikeji said the controversy has extended into threats and harassment against him and his family. He said these incidents have been documented and are under legal review.

His legal team, he said, has been instructed to initiate defamation proceedings against those he accused of orchestrating the campaign, as well as media platforms publishing unverified allegations. He also said petitions would be submitted to security agencies over alleged cyberstalking and threats.

Ikeji maintained that he is a law-abiding citizen and has not been convicted of any offence. He said any funds received in the course of his dealings were tied to legitimate business or charitable activities and not the proceeds of fraud.

While OCCRP said its findings were based on financial records, digital communications and law enforcement sources across multiple jurisdictions, Ikeji insisted that the issues should be resolved through judicial processes rather than what he described as trial by media.

He appealed to business partners and stakeholders to disregard the allegations, assuring them that evidence is being shared to demonstrate the legitimacy of his operations and that his business and humanitarian activities would continue.

As of the time of reporting, neither Ikeji nor Abhulimhen has been convicted in connection with the allegations, and investigations and legal proceedings referenced by both sides remain ongoing.