The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division has affirmed the conviction and 490-year prison sentence imposed on former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, NEXIM Bank, Robert Orya.
Orya was convicted by the Federal Capital Territory High Court on 49 counts bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud involving N2.4 billion. The sentences of 10 years on each count are to run concurrently.
Orya, who served as NEXIM Bank’s managing director from 2009 to 2016, was first appointed to the position on August 14, 2009, by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.
Following his departure from office, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned him in 2021 on the 49-count charge.
The FCT High Court, presided over by Justice F.E. Messiri, convicted Orya and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the 49 counts on February 5, 2026. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
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Dissatisfied with the judgement, Orya appealed to the Court of Appeal, seeking to have his conviction and sentence set aside.
However, in a unanimous judgement delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, the appellate court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.
Justice Danjuma, who sat with Justices Ntong Ntong and Ele Enenche, held that the trial court was right to convict Orya, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court said it had considered the briefs filed by counsel and reviewed the record of proceedings before resolving all the issues raised in favour of the respondent and against the appellant. “This appeal is devoid of any merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court held.
It consequently affirmed the judgement of the FCT High Court delivered on February 5, 2026, in charge number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021.
Daily Trust
