ABUJA: A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has sentenced former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, to 10 years’ imprisonment after convicting him on fraud-related charges amounting to about ₦2.4 billion.
Justice Frances Messiri delivered the judgement after finding Orya guilty on all 49 counts filed against him, which included criminal breach of trust, fraud, misappropriation, impersonation, official corruption and abuse of office.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the case, confirmed the conviction in a statement shared Thursday via its official X platform.
The agency had arraigned Orya in 2021 over allegations linked to financial misconduct during his tenure as NEXIM Bank chief from 2011 to 2016.
According to the EFCC, Orya abused his office by diverting funds through entities such as Luxurium Leisure Services Limited, reportedly registered with fictitious identities, and by facilitating loans under false presences, including a ₦488 million facility granted to Treasure Mix Construction Limited.
Although Orya pleaded not guilty during trial, the court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and subsequently sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count.
