490 Years Behind Bars Appeal Court Delivers Fresh Blow To Ex-NEXIM Boss Orya Over ₦2.4bn Fraud

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the conviction and 490-year prison sentence handed down to former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, over a ₦2.4 billion fraud case.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Justice Muhammed Danjuma, leading a three-member panel, dismissed Orya’s appeal and affirmed the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court delivered on February 5, 2026.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Orya in 2021 on a 49-count charge involving obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud, with the alleged offences involving approximately ₦2.4 billion.

Following his conviction, Orya challenged the decision of the trial court before the Court of Appeal, seeking to have the judgment overturned.

However, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Danjuma, the appellate court held that the issues raised by Orya in his appeal were without merit and resolved them in favour of the EFCC.

The court subsequently dismissed the appeal and affirmed the judgment of the FCT High Court in Abuja.

At the trial court, Justice F.E. Messiri found that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Orya on all 49 counts. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on each count, amounting to a total of 490 years.

The sentences, however, are to run concurrently, meaning Orya will not serve the 490 years consecutively.

Orya served as NEXIM Bank’s Managing Director between 2009 and 2016. He was first appointed to the position by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in August 2009 and was reappointed in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.