The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and 490-year prison sentence handed down to former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Robert Orya.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday, dismissed Orya’s appeal and affirmed the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, which found him guilty on all 49 counts brought against him.
Orya was sentenced to 10 years in prison on each of the 49 charges, resulting in a cumulative sentence of 490 years. However, the sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve the terms at the same time rather than consecutively.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted Orya after arraigning him in 2021 on charges relating to obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud involving approximately ₦2.4 billion.
The FCT High Court convicted him on February 5, 2026, after finding that the prosecution had established its case against him.
Dissatisfied with the judgment delivered by Justice F.E. Messiri, Orya approached the Court of Appeal, seeking to have his conviction and sentence overturned.
A three-member panel led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, alongside Justices Ntong Ntong and Ele Enenche, rejected his arguments and ruled that the trial court had reached the correct conclusion.
In the lead judgment, Justice Danjuma said the panel had reviewed the briefs submitted by the parties as well as the records of proceedings from the lower court.
The court concluded that the issues raised by Orya in his appeal had been resolved against him and in favour of the prosecution, describing the appeal as lacking merit.
The appellate court subsequently dismissed the appeal and affirmed the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on February 5, 2026, in charge number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021.
Orya served as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016. He was first appointed to head the bank by former President Umaru Yar’Adua on August 14, 2009, and was reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.
