Roberts Orya fraud conviction as FCT High Court jails ex-NEXIM MD 10 years for N2.4bn bank fraud across 49 counts

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Thursday convicted and sentenced former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Roberts Orya, to 10 years’ imprisonment for bank fraud involving ₦2.4 billion.

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Justice F. E. Messiri delivered the judgment after finding Orya guilty on 49 counts of obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud, following a full trial initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2021.

Justice Messiri held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Orya on all counts.

The court sentenced Orya to 10 years on each count, amounting to 490 years in total, but ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

Prosecution counsel, Samuel Ugwuebulam, told the court that Orya abused his position to fraudulently induce NEXIM Bank to release large sums as loans to companies under false pretences.

In one of the counts, the court heard that on September 21, 2011, Orya induced NEXIM Bank to disburse ₦488 million to Treasuremix Construction Limited on the claim that the directors of Luxurium Leisure Services Limited were the beneficiaries, a representation the prosecution said was false.

Another count detailed a similar transaction on February 19, 2013, involving ₦630 million under the same alleged pretence.

The prosecution maintained that the beneficiary firms were used as fronts to siphon bank funds.

Justice Messiri agreed, describing the offences as grave breaches of trust, particularly given NEXIM Bank’s strategic role in Nigeria’s economic development.

Orya, who served as NEXIM Managing Director from 2009 to 2016 after appointments by Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, had pleaded not guilty, prompting the prosecution to call seven witnesses during the trial.

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The EFCC said the conviction underscored its resolve to hold public officials accountable and ensure economic crimes are punished in accordance with the law.