The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the conviction and 490-year prison sentence handed to Robert Orya, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), over a N2.4 billion fraud case.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision delivered on Tuesday, dismissed Orya’s appeal challenging the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
The three-member panel was led by Muhammed Danjuma, with Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche as members.
According to a statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the presiding judge ruled in favour of the anti-graft agency on all the issues raised in Orya’s appeal.
“I have considered all briefs filed by counsel and have gone through the record of the trial court and adopted it and the issues as formulated by this appellate court in resolving this appeal,” the judge ruled.
“I looked at each and every issue, and in my final analysis, all the issues formulated for the determination of this appeal are resolved in favour of the respondent and against the appellant.
“This appeal is devoid of any merit and is hereby dismissed. The judgement 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.”
Background
Orya served as NEXIM’s Managing Director from 2009 to 2016.
The EFCC arraigned him in November 2021 on a 49-count charge bordering on fraud.
The commission accused the former bank chief of abusing his position to obtain loans from NEXIM.
The EFCC alleged that while serving as managing director, Orya incorporated a company that allegedly used the names of non-existent individuals and other people without their consent to secure loans. The loans reportedly remained unpaid for several years.
In February 2026, Orya was sentenced to a total of 490 years in prison after being convicted on the 49 counts.
F.E. Messiri, the trial judge, handed down a 10-year prison sentence on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Although the cumulative sentence amounts to 490 years, the concurrent terms mean Orya is required to serve 10 years in prison.