FCT High Court Jails Ex-NEXIM MD Robert Orya for 490 Years Over ₦2.4bn Fraud Sub-head:

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, to a cumulative 490 years in prison over a ₦2.4 billion fraud case.

The judgment was delivered on Thursday, February 5, 2026, by Justice F. E. Messiri, following a protracted trial initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Orya was convicted on all 49 counts filed against him, bordering on fraud, abuse of office, criminal breach of trust, impersonation, misappropriation of funds, and official corruption. The court imposed a 10-year sentence on each count, amounting to a total of 490 years.

The offences were linked to financial transactions carried out during Orya’s tenure as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank between 2011 and 2016. The EFCC accused him of exploiting his position to unlawfully divert public funds and engage in multiple acts of financial misconduct.

Orya was first arraigned before the FCT High Court on November 25, 2021. During the trial, EFCC counsel Samuel Ugwuegbulam presented evidence which the court held to be sufficient in proving the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Part of the prosecution’s case involved the alleged diversion of over ₦1.3 billion from the bank through irregular and illegal transactions executed under Orya’s leadership.

In his ruling, Justice Messiri stated that the former bank chief abused his office and engaged in fraudulent practices that resulted in the loss of billions of naira belonging to the institution.

The conviction comes amid renewed efforts by the EFCC, under its Chairman Ola Olukoyede, to conclude long-standing corruption cases involving senior public officials and public funds. Olukoyede has repeatedly stressed that no individual is above the law.

Orya’s tenure at NEXIM initially drew attention for efforts to reposition the bank and strengthen support for non-oil exports. However, his leadership later became clouded by allegations related to questionable loan approvals, financial irregularities, and procedural breaches.

Author

Funmi Adewoju Suleodu

Olufunmilayo Adewoju Suleodu is a veteran journalist, editor, and publisher with more than three decades of experience in journalism, communications, and public affairs.

She has worked across news media, magazine publishing, communications, development-sector engagements, and digital journalism. She currently publishes SageBits Online and reports on governance, development, business, education, traditional institutions, and public affairs.

She is also an elected officer of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun East Independent Chapel, reflecting her continued engagement with the journalism profession and media development.

Based in Ogun State, she is available for freelance reporting, feature writing, editorial assignments, research, project documentation, and development communications work.

Detailed professional history and references are available upon request.

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