The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday upheld the conviction and 490-year imprisonment handed down to a former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Robert Orya, over an N2.4bn fraud.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, unanimously dismissed Orya’s appeal against the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja’s decision.
Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche rounded out the panel.
According to Dele Oyewale, spokesman for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice Danjuma concluded that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the trial court’s ruling made by Justice F.E. Messiri on February 5, 2026.
“I have considered all briefs filed by counsel and have gone through the record of the trial court and adopted it, and the issues as formulated by this appellate court in resolving this appeal.
“I looked at each and every issue, and in my final analysis, all the issues formulated for the determination of this appeal are resolved in favor 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 number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021 is hereby affirmed,” he was quoted as saying.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuted Orya when he was arraigned in 2021 on a 49-count accusation of collecting money under false pretenses, forgery, and advance fee fraud totaling N2.4 billion.
The trial court found him guilty on all 49 counts after determining that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Messiri then sentenced him to 10 years in prison on each of the 49 offenses, for a total of 490 years.
The penalties, however, must continue simultaneously.
Dissatisfied with the decision, Orya petitioned the Court of Appeal to reverse his conviction and punishment.
However, the appellate court denied his appeal, upholding the trial court’s conclusions.
Orya was the managing director of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016.
The late President Umaru Yar’Adua appointed him to head the bank on August 14, 2009, and former President Goodluck Jonathan reappointed him on August 18, 2014.
