A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced Roberts Orya, a former managing director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), to a combined 490 years in prison over a N2.4 billion fraud.
Justice F. E. Messiri delivered the judgment on Thursday, February 5, 2026, after finding Orya guilty on all 49 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Orya, who was first arraigned in 2021, faced charges including obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, and advance fee fraud. The offences were linked to his time as managing director of NEXIM Bank.
The prosecution told the court that the former bank chief orchestrated the fraudulent release of loans totalling N2.4 billion using false representations and forged documents.
One of the counts showed that on or about September 21, 2011, Orya induced NEXIM Bank to approve and disburse N488 million to Treasuremix Construction Limited. The loan, the court heard, was granted based on the false claim that Luxurium Leisure Services Limited had applied for and would benefit from the facility.
Another charge revealed that on or about February 19, 2013, Orya again facilitated the release of N630 million to the same company, using a similar misrepresentation that Luxurium Leisure Services Limited was the applicant and beneficiary.
Orya pleaded not guilty to all the charges but failed to undermine the prosecution’s case during trial.
The EFCC, led by its counsel, Samuel Ugwuebulam, called seven witnesses and tendered documentary evidence. In a statement by Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s spokesman, the commission said the testimonies and exhibits clearly proved the defendant’s culpability.
In his ruling, Justice Messiri held that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt. He convicted Orya on all 49 counts and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, totalling 490 years, but ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.
Orya served as managing director of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016. He was appointed on August 14, 2009, by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and reappointed on August 18, 2014, by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Read more news on www.newdailyprime.news
