The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the conviction of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Robert Orya, and upheld the 490-year cumulative prison sentence imposed on him over a N2.4bn fraud case.
A three-member panel led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, with Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche as members, dismissed Orya’s appeal in a unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday.
The appellate court consequently affirmed the February 5, 2026 judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, which convicted Orya on all 49 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Danjuma said the panel had considered the briefs filed by counsel and examined the record of the trial court before resolving all the issues raised in the appeal against Orya.
“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 court subsequently affirmed the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered by Justice F.E. Messiri in charge number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021.
Orya was sentenced by the FCT High Court to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts, amounting to a cumulative 490 years. The sentences, however, are to run concurrently, meaning he will effectively serve a 10-year prison term.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned Orya in 2021 on a 49-count charge involving obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud in connection with approximately N2.4bn.
The prosecution alleged that Orya abused his position as NEXIM Bank managing director and was involved in obtaining loans through a company allegedly incorporated using the names of non-existent persons and individuals who had not consented to the use of their identities.
Justice Messiri had, in the February judgment, found Orya guilty on all 49 counts after holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Orya served as managing director of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016 before his prosecution by the EFCC.
The latest ruling effectively upholds his conviction at the appellate level, following his unsuccessful bid to overturn the trial court’s judgment.
