Appeal Court Upholds 490-Year Jail Term for Ex-NEXIM Bank MD, Robert Orya, Over N2.4bn Fraud

Justices dismiss appeal, affirm FCT High Court conviction on all 49 counts

[ABUJA] The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Tuesday affirmed the conviction and 490-year jail sentence handed to former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, NEXIM, Robert Orya, over a N2.4 billion fraud.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, the appellate court dismissed Orya’s appeal in its entirety, upholding the decision of the FCT High Court* delivered on February 5, 2026 by Justice F.E. Messiri.

—“Appeal Devoid of Merit”—

Justice Danjuma, who led a three-member panel that included Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche, said the trial court was right to convict Orya on all counts.

“I have considered all briefs filed by counsel and have gone through the record of the trial court… In my final analysis, 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 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered on February 5, 2026 in Charge No: FSC/SC/CS/487/2021 is hereby affirmed,” he ruled.

—The Case—

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arraigned Orya in 2021 on a 49-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud* to the tune of N2.4 billion.

Justice Messiri had found that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Orya on all 49 counts.
He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on each count, totaling 490 years. However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning he will effectively serve 10 years.

—Who is Robert Orya?—

Orya served as NEXIM Bank MD from 2009 to 2016.

He was first appointed on August 14, 2009 by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and reappointed on August 18, 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

NEXIM Bank is a federal government-owned export credit agency mandated to provide financing, risk-bearing, and advisory services to support Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

—What Happens Next—

With the Court of Appeal’s dismissal, the conviction stands. Legal sources say Orya still has the option of appealing to the Supreme Court within 90 days.

The EFCC described the judgment as “a clear message that public office holders who abuse their positions will face the full weight of the law.”