Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, has been handed a staggering cumulative sentence of 490 years’ imprisonment over a ₦2.4 billion fraud scandal.

The judgment was delivered by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Thursday, February 5, 2026, following a successful prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which detailed Orya’s financial misconduct during his tenure from 2011 to 2016.

Justice F. E. Messiri sentenced Orya to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts preferred against him, culminating in the unprecedented total sentence.

The EFCC, through its lead counsel, Samuel Ugwuegbulam, presented documentary and testimonial evidence linking the former bank chief to a web of fraudulent transactions, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

Reacting to the verdict, the anti-graft agency described the ruling as a major victory in Nigeria’s fight against corruption in public finance institutions.

“This sentence sends a strong signal that no one is above the law, regardless of status or influence,” an EFCC spokesperson said.

Observers say the conviction represents a watershed moment in holding high-ranking public officials accountable and reinforces judicial resolve to confront systemic corruption.

The EFCC directed members of the public to its official website for further updates on related cases.