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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has convicted Robert Orya, the former managing director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), over a fraud involving about N2.4 billion.
Justice F.E. Messiri of the FCT High Court sentenced Orya to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts, amounting to a total of 490 years in prison. The charges were prosecuted by Samuel Ugwuegbulam of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which secured the conviction on Friday.
The sentencing marked one of the most significant convictions of a former banking chief in recent times, reinforcing ongoing enforcement efforts against high-value financial crimes in Nigeria’s banking and financial sector.
Orya served as the managing director of NEXIM Bank from around 2009 to 2016, during which time he had been credited with efforts to refocus the bank on supporting non-oil exports and turning around its performance after earlier financial challenges.
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However, his tenure later became embroiled in legal and financial disputes, including previous suits related to alleged procedural abuses and loan disbursement irregularities.
The EFCC had brought the 49-count charge alleging that Orya fraudulently diverted funds amounting to about N2.4 billion, a case that concluded with his conviction and substantial prison term at the Abuja High Court.
In delivering judgment, Justice Messiri found the former bank chief guilty on all counts, reflecting the court’s stance on financial impropriety involving public-interest institutions.
