Robert Orya, a former managing director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on each of the 49-count charges by a high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja.
This was disclosed on Thursday, February 5, in a post on its X handle by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
WITHIN NIGERIA learned that Justice Frances Messiri handed down the jail sentence upon convicting Orya on all 49 counts of criminal charges bordering on fraud to the tune of N2.4 billion.
Recall that the anti-graft agency in 2021 dragged the former managing director to court over alleged criminal breach of trust, fraud, misappropriation, impersonation, official corruption, and abuse of office, among others.
The anti-graft commission also accused Orya of fraudulently diverting funds, including through entities like Luxurium Leisure Services Limited (incorporated using fictitious names), and inducing loans, such as N488 million to Treasure Mix Construction Limited under false pretenses.
Who is Robert Orya?
Robert Orya is a native of Ugwe, a community in Benue State where he completed his primary and secondary education. He attended the Teacher’s College, where he obtained a National Certificate of Education. He later attended Benue State Polytechnic, where he graduated with an Ordinary National Diploma.
Orya, a businessman, banker, and management consultant, once served as honorary president of the Global Network of Export-Import Banks and Development Finance Institutions.He assumed leadership of NEXIM’s executive management team in August 2009, a position he held till 2016.
Origin of Robert Orya’s trial?
In 2019, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) charged Robert Orya, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), of corruption and financial wrongdoing following a forensic audit ordered by the NEXIM board.
The apex bank also accused the export/import bank’s previous administration of plotting the ouster of Joseph Nnanna, its deputy governor in charge of the Economic Policy Directorate.
Recall that Mr. Nnanna was the chairman of the Board of NEXIM, which ordered a forensic examination of the bank’s lending operations.
According to the CBN, the audit showed various levels of procedural violations, including high levels of fraud in loan disbursement by the bank’s prior management.
Robert Orya was also accused of abusing his position to earn over N1.4 billion from the bank through fraudulent loan awards and forming corporations in the names of nonexistent people or entities without their permission to secure loans that went unpaid for years.
How was he arrested?
WITHIN NIGERIA discovered that Robert Orya, a former managing director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), was arrested several times by anti-graft agents.
According to a check, Orya was originally arrested by EFCC investigators after the anti-graft agency, in partnership with the then-Special Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), led by Okoi-Obono Obla, received a petition to indict him.
Orya was reportedly arrested and detained by EFCC agents for four days before being required to report to the anti-graft agency’s Capital Market and Insurance Fraud Section in Abuja on a daily and then weekly basis between 2016 and 2018.
However, WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the NEXIM Bank management, in October 2017, wrote to the SPIP, which led to the arrest and detainment of Orya at the police headquarters in Abuja for four days.
Orya’s Legal Tussle?
On November 25, 2021, Robert Orya, ex-NEXIM MD, appeared before Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on a 49-count charge of fraud and abuse of office.
He was accused of fraudulently obtaining over N1.4 billion from NEXIM Bank, including using the names of non-existent individuals and others to gain loans without their agreement.
The anti-graft organization claimed that he exploited his position as managing director of NEXIM Bank to embezzle public monies.
He pleaded not guilty to all counts, prompting a lengthy trial that lasted several years.
Verdict?
Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja sentenced Robert Orya, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), to 490 years in jail on February 5, 2026.
The ruling came after Orya was found guilty on all 49 counts of fraud and abuse of power. Orya was sentenced to ten years in jail on each count.
The sentences will run concurrently. This means Orya will only serve a maximum of 10 years in prison, not 490.
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