Appeal Court Upholds 490-Year Sentence for Ex-NEXIM MD Orya Over N2.4bn Fraud

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the conviction of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, over a N2.4 billion fraud case.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court dismissed Orya’s appeal against the February 5, 2026 judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

A three-member panel led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma delivered the judgment. Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche also sat on the panel.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the court resolved all the issues raised by Orya in favour of the commission.

The court held that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the decision of the lower court.

Justice Danjuma said the panel had considered the briefs filed by the parties and examined the records of the trial court before reaching its decision.

“This appeal is devoid of any merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.

Orya’s legal troubles date back to November 2021, when the EFCC arraigned him on a 49-count charge bordering on fraud.

The commission accused the former bank chief of abusing his position to obtain loans from NEXIM Bank.

It alleged that Orya incorporated a company which used the names of non-existent persons and others without their consent to secure loans.

According to the EFCC, the loans remained unpaid for several years.

The FCT High Court convicted Orya in February 2026 and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts.

The sentences run concurrently, meaning Orya will serve a total of 10 years despite the aggregate sentence of 490 years.

The appellate court’s decision now leaves the conviction and sentence intact.