The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the conviction and 490-year prison sentence imposed on former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Robert Orya, over a N2.4 billion fraud case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, saying the appellate court affirmed Orya’s conviction on all 49 counts filed against him.
Orya was convicted by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on February 5, 2026. Justice F.E. Messiri found him guilty of offences including obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud.
The EFCC had arraigned Orya in 2021 over allegations linked to fraudulent loans disbursed by NEXIM Bank during his tenure as managing director.
During the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses. Justice Messiri ruled that the EFCC had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Orya on all 49 counts.
The trial court subsequently sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, resulting in a total sentence of 490 years. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
Orya served as NEXIM Bank’s managing director from 2009 to 2016. He was first appointed on August 14, 2009, by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and was reappointed on August 18, 2014, by Goodluck Jonathan.
With the latest judgment, the Court of Appeal has affirmed both the conviction and sentence handed down by the FCT High Court on all 49 counts.
