The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Roberts Orya, to a cumulative 490 years’ imprisonment over a N2.4 billion fraud case.
Justice F.E. Messiri delivered the judgment after finding Orya guilty on all 49 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges bordered on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, and advance fee fraud. Orya, who served as NEXIM Bank Managing Director between 2009 and 2016, was arraigned in 2021. He pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial.
During proceedings, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Samuel Ugwuebulam, presented seven witnesses and tendered documentary evidence in support of the case. In his ruling, Justice Messiri held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court sentenced Orya to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts, amounting to 490 years in total. The judge, however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently. The EFCC confirmed the conviction in a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
Orya was first appointed Managing Director of NEXIM Bank in August 2009 by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and was reappointed in August 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
