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

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.”

Abuja
FRSC launches operation ‘Sauka Lafiya’ to curb road crashes in FCT, Niger
FRSC deployed 3,339 personnel, 69 patrol vehicles, 18 ambulances, four tow trucks and 24 motorcycles.

Lagos
Lagos council inducts 156 financial inclusion experts
The chairman urged the inductees to use the digital devices provided to them with integrity.

Heading 1
FCCPC resumes implementation of digital lending regulations
WASPAN had challenged the Commission’s authority to issue and implement the DEON Regulations.

Heading 5
Lagos seeks stronger ties with Turkey to boost investment opportunities
Mr Hamzat described the longstanding relationship between Lagos and Turkish firms as productive.

NationWide
FG, NASS reiterate commitment to support roles of electricity regulators
Mr Babalola said the Electricity Act decentralises aspects of governance.

Economy
Flutterwave’s Fidelis Chiwara advocates stronger ecosystem collaboration at AT50 Market Open
Mr Chiwara stressed that Africa’s long-term opportunity lies in creating stronger connections between markets.





