The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Robert Orya, upholding his conviction and 490-year prison sentence over an alleged N2.4 billion fraud.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, unanimously dismissed Orya’s appeal on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche were also members of the panel.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Orya in 2021 on a 49-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud involving N2.4 billion.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice F.E. Messiri, convicted him on all 49 counts on February 5, 2026.
The trial court sentenced Orya to 10 years imprisonment on each count, amounting to 490 years. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Dissatisfied with the judgment, the former bank chief approached the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn his conviction and sentence.
Delivering the appellate court’s judgment, Justice Danjuma held that the issues raised by Orya in his appeal were without merit.
The judge said the panel had considered the briefs filed by the parties and reviewed the record of proceedings from the trial court before resolving all the issues in favour of the respondent and against the appellant.
He subsequently dismissed the appeal and affirmed the February 5, 2026 judgment of the FCT High Court.
The trial court had held that the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt before finding Orya guilty on all 49 counts.
Orya served as NEXIM Bank’s Managing Director between 2009 and 2016. He was first appointed to the position by former President Umaru Yar’Adua on August 14, 2009, and was reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.
