Presiding High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, to 10 years’ imprisonment for fraud involving about ₦2.4 billion.
Orya was found guilty on all 49 counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, fraud, misappropriation, impersonation, official corruption and abuse of office.
Delivering judgment, Justice Frances Messiri sentenced the former NEXIM boss to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The court held that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Orya abused his position as Managing Director of NEXIM between 2011 and 2016 to fraudulently divert public funds for personal benefit.
According to the EFCC, the offences included the diversion of NEXIM funds through fronts such as Luxurium Leisure Services Limited, a company allegedly incorporated using fictitious names, as well as the fraudulent inducement of a ₦488 million loan granted to Treasure Mix Construction Limited under false pretences.
Orya was arraigned by the anti-graft agency in November 2021 and pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to a full trial that culminated in yesterday’s conviction and sentencing.
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