A former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Roberts Orya, has been convicted and sentenced to an aggregate of 490 years’ imprisonment for bank fraud involving ₦2.4 billion.
Justice F. E. Messiri of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, delivered the judgment on Thursday, February 5, 2026, following a protracted trial that began in 2021.
Orya was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 49-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, and advance fee fraud.
Details of the Fraud
According to the EFCC, the offences were committed while Orya was serving as Managing Director of Nigerian Export-Import Bank.
In one of the charges, the court heard that on September 21, 2011, Orya fraudulently induced NEXIM to disburse ₦488 million to Treasuremix Construction Limited, falsely claiming that Luxurium Leisure Services Limited was the legitimate loan beneficiary.
Another count revealed that on February 19, 2013, he allegedly orchestrated a similar transaction involving ₦630 million, again under false pretences.
The offences contravened Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Court’s Findings
Orya pleaded not guilty, leading to a full trial during which the prosecution, led by Samuel Ugwuebulam, called seven witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Messiri held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding the defendant guilty on all 49 counts.
The court sentenced Orya to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to 490 years, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
Background
Orya served as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank between 2009 and 2016. He was appointed on August 14, 2009, by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and reappointed on August 18, 2014, by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
