Court Jails Ex-NEXIM Boss Robert Orya for N2.4bn Fraud

By Adedapo Adesanya

Justice Frances Messiri of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr Robert Orya, to 10 years in prison for fraud involving approximately N2.4 billion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction after prosecuting Mr Orya on 49 counts, including criminal breach of trust, fraud, misappropriation, impersonation, official corruption, and abuse of office.

Delivering judgment, Justice Messiri sentenced Mr Orya to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts, with the terms running concurrently.

The case arose from allegations that Mr Orya, who served as NEXIM Managing Director from 2011 to 2016, abused his position to fraudulently divert funds through entities such as Luxurium Leisure Services Limited, which was incorporated using fictitious names.

He was also accused of inducing loans, including N488 million to Treasure Mix Construction Limited, under false pretences.

Mr Orya was arraigned by the EFCC in November 2021 on the 49-count charge bordering on fraud.

The anti-graft agency alleged that he used his position to obtain over N1.4 billion from the bank and incorporated a company using the names of non-existent individuals and others without their consent to secure loans, which remained unpaid for years.

Mr Orya pleaded not guilty to the charges at the inception of the trial.