Court of Appeal Upholds 490-Year Sentence for Ex-NEXIM Boss Orya Over ₦2.4bn Fraud

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

Justice Muhammed Danjuma, who delivered the unanimous judgment on Tuesday alongside Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche, dismissed Orya’s appeal, ruling that it lacked merit.

The appellate court affirmed the judgment delivered by Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on February 5, 2026.

Orya was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 49-count charge involving obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud. The alleged offences were valued at approximately ₦2.4 billion.

Following his conviction on all 49 counts, Justice Messiri sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment on each count, resulting in a cumulative sentence of 490 years.

However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning Orya will not serve the 490 years consecutively.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the former NEXIM Bank chief approached the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the conviction and sentence.

In dismissing the appeal, Justice Danjuma said the panel had reviewed the briefs filed by both sides, examined the records of the trial court and considered the issues raised by the appellant.

The court concluded that the issues raised in the appeal were resolved in favour of the respondent and against Orya.

The appellate court consequently affirmed the February 5, 2026 judgment of the FCT High Court in the case.

Orya served as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016. He was first appointed to the position by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on August 14, 2009, and was reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.