Appeal Court Upholds 490-Year Sentence for Ex-NEXIM Boss

The Court of Appeal in Abuja confirmed the conviction and 490-year prison sentence of Robert Orya, the former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), for his involvement in a ₦2.4 billion fraud. The unanimous judgement was delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma on September 9.

Orya's appeal, which sought to overturn the February 5, 2026, ruling of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, was dismissed as devoid of merit. The trial court had found him guilty on all 49 counts, including obtaining money by false pretences and forgery, based on substantial evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Each count carried a 10-year sentence, totaling 490 years, but the terms were ordered to run concurrently. Orya served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016, appointed by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.