The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has handed down a landmark judgment in the fight against financial crimes, sentencing former Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) Managing Director, Mr. Roberts Orya, to 490 years’ imprisonment for his role in a ₦2.4 billion bank fraud.
Justice F. E. Messiri delivered the verdict on Thursday, February 5, 2026, after finding Orya guilty on all 49 counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Orya was arraigned in 2021 on charges including obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, and advance fee fraud. The offences occurred during his tenure as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank.
One of the charges revealed that in September 2011, Orya allegedly induced NEXIM Bank to release ₦488 million to Treasuremix Construction Limited under the false claim that the funds were intended for Luxurium Leisure Services Limited. A similar scheme in February 2013 involved another ₦630 million loan.
Despite pleading not guilty, EFCC counsel Samuel Ugwuebulam presented seven witnesses whose testimonies and evidence convincingly proved Orya’s guilt.
Justice Messiri ruled that the prosecution established the case beyond reasonable doubt, sentencing Orya to 10 years on each of the 49 counts, totaling 490 years. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
Mr. Orya served as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016, having been appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The ruling underscores the EFCC’s ongoing commitment to tackling high-profile financial crimes and reinforces that public office holders are accountable for any abuse of trust, strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
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