Abuja High Court Sentences Former NEXIM MD Robert Orya to 490 Years for ₦2.4bn Fraud
Robert Orya Convicted,Former NEXIM Boss Gets 490-Year Jail Term for Corruption
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Robert Orya, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), to a cumulative 490 years in prison. The landmark judgment, delivered on Thursday, 5 February 2026, concludes a high-profile prosecution involving the misappropriation of ₦2.4 billion during Orya’s tenure between 2011 and 2016.
Justice F.E. Messiri found Orya guilty on all 49 counts brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges bordered on criminal breach of trust, official corruption, impersonation, and the fraudulent diversion of public funds. The court sentenced the convict to 10 years for each count, resulting in one of the most significant prison terms ever imposed on a former head of a government-owned financial institution in Nigeria.
Judicial Findings and Financial Misconduct
The prosecution, led by EFCC counsel Samuel Ugwuegbulam, successfully demonstrated that Orya abused his position to orchestrate the unlawful withdrawal of over ₦1.368 billion through various fraudulent schemes. During the trial, which commenced in November 2021, the EFCC presented extensive documentary evidence and witness testimonies to substantiate the claims of systemic financial mismanagement at the development bank.
Justice Messiri held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, emphasizing that the evidence linked the convict directly to the management of funds intended for national export development. The court noted that the scale of the abuse necessitated a sentence that reflects the gravity of the breach of public trust.
Implications for Institutional Governance
The EFCC has described the ruling as a decisive victory in the national campaign against corruption within the public sector. In a statement following the verdict, the anti-graft agency noted that the judgment serves as a stern warning to public officials regarding the accountability expected in the management of state resources.
The conviction highlights ongoing efforts to sanitize Nigeria’s financial institutions and ensure that leadership within government agencies adheres to the principles of transparency. As the 490-year sentence represents a cumulative total across 49 counts, the legal implications for Orya mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s judicial history concerning economic crimes.
