The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has affirmed the conviction and 490-year imprisonment handed down to former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, for fraud.
Justice Muhammed Danjuma, leading a three-member panel comprising Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche, dismissed Orya’s appeal on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, for lacking merit.
Orya was convicted by Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on 5 February 2026, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted him on a 49-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud involving N2.4 billion.
Justice Danjuma, in the unanimous judgment, held that the issues raised by Orya were resolved in favour of the prosecution and against him.
The appellate court consequently affirmed the judgment of the FCT High Court, which found Orya guilty on all 49 counts after ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The trial court had sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on each count, amounting to 490 years. The sentences are, however, to run concurrently.
Orya served as NEXIM Bank Managing Director from 2009 to 2016. He was first appointed on 14 August 2009, by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on 18 August 2014.
(EFCC)
