A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Robert Orya, to a cumulative 490 years imprisonment over a N2.4 billion fraud.
The conviction followed a prolonged trial instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over financial crimes allegedly committed during Orya’s tenure as NEXIM boss between 2011 and 2016.
Justice F.E. Messiri delivered the judgment on Thursday, February 5, 2026, after finding Orya guilty on all 49 counts bordering on fraud, criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.
The court handed down a 10-year prison sentence on each count, amounting to a total of 490 years behind bars.
According to the EFCC, Orya was prosecuted on charges including impersonation, misappropriation, official corruption and fraudulent diversion of public funds.
In a statement issued after the ruling, the anti-graft agency confirmed that the conviction was secured by its counsel, Samuel Ugwuegbulam.
The commission stated that Orya was arraigned before the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja, on November 25, 2021, following investigations into transactions linked to the management of the development bank.
The court found that the former NEXIM managing director abused his office to unlawfully obtain over N1.368 billion from the bank through fraudulent schemes executed during his leadership period.
Justice Messiri held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on documentary evidence and witness testimonies presented during the trial.
The judgment marks one of the heaviest cumulative jail terms imposed on a former top public official in Nigeria over financial crimes.
The EFCC described the ruling as a strong signal in the fight against corruption and abuse of public office, particularly within government-owned financial institutions.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing accountability and ensuring that public officials found guilty of economic crimes face the full weight of the law.
