Ex-NEXIM bank MD Robert Orya bags 490-year jail term over N2.4 billion fraud

A Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Thursday convicted a former managing director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, over N2.4 billion fraud.
The development was revealed in a statement posted on the Facebook and X pages of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday.
“The EFCC, today, February 5, 2026, secured the conviction of Robert Orya, a former Managing Director, Nigerian Import Export Bank, NEXIM (2011-2016), for a fraud of about N2.4 billion.
“Orya, who was prosecuted by EFCC’s Samuel Ugwuegbulam, was convicted by Justice F.E. Messiri of the FCT High court, Abuja and sentenced to ten years imprisonment on each of the 49-count charge,” the statement read.
The EFCC brought a 49-count charge before Justice F.E. Messiri, accusing Mr Orya of fraudulently diverting funds amounting to about N2.4 billion.
The former NEXIM boss was prosecuted by Samuel Ugwuegbulam of the EFCC, which secured his conviction on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
In delivering judgment, Mr Messiri found Mr Orya guilty on all 49 counts, and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts, amounting to a total of 490 years in prison.
The EFCC first arraigned Mr Orya before Mr Messiri on November 25, 2021, on a 49-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, impersonation, misappropriation, official corruption, fraud, and abuse of office.
Mr Orya served as the managing director of NEXIM Bank from 2011 to 2016, after which he became embroiled in legal and financial disputes, including lawsuits on alleged procedural abuses and loan disbursement irregularities.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Kano will lead other northern states to secure victory for Tinubu in 2027, says Gov. Yusuf
Mr Yusuf said the North had confidence in Mr Tinubu and remained committed to supporting his second-term ambition.

NationWide
CGC Volleyball League: Anambra Queens, COAS Spikers record wins
Sunshine Spikers also recorded a straight-set victory over Life Camp VC, winning 25-22, 25-21 and 25-20.

States
Cross River targets N19 billion revenue from 2026 carnival
Mr Otu noted that the government was repositioning the festival as a major economic asset.

Lagos
Two die, two injured in Lagos road crash
Mr Bakare-Oki expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy and complete recovery.

Education
SSANU suspends two-week ultimatum after FG releases eight months’ arrears
Mr Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to address other outstanding demands affecting SSANU members in federal and state universities.

World
Ukraine attacks Russia’s key oil terminal despite Trump’s ceasefire pact claim
Mr Zelensky said Russian forces launched nearly 2,700 drones, 1,700 aerial bombs and 66 missiles at Ukraine over the past week.





