Appeal Court Upholds Ex-NEXIM MD Orya’s 490-Year Jail Term

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has upheld the conviction of former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Robert Orya, and his cumulative 490-year jail term over a N2.4 billion fraud case.

A three-member panel led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma unanimously dismissed Orya’s appeal on Tuesday, affirming the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.

The other members of the panel were Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche.

Delivering the lead judgment, Danjuma said the court had reviewed the briefs filed by counsel and the records of the trial court, adding that all the issues raised by Orya were resolved against him.

“This appeal is devoid of any merit and is hereby dismissed. The judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered on February 5, 2026, in charge number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021 is hereby affirmed,” he ruled.

Orya was convicted by Justice F.E. Messiri of the FCT High Court on February 5, 2026, after he was found guilty on all 49 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The charges bordered on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud involving N2.4 billion.

The trial court sentenced Orya to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts, amounting to 490 years. However, the sentences are to run concurrently, meaning the effective term is 10 years.

Orya had challenged the conviction at the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the judgment, but the appellate court dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.

The former NEXIM Bank boss was first arraigned by the EFCC in 2021 following investigations into the alleged offences.

Orya served as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016. He was first appointed by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on August 14, 2009, and was reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.

The EFCC disclosed the Court of Appeal’s decision in a statement issued on Tuesday.