Court Upholds 490-Year Sentence for Ex-NEXIM MD Orya

On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed the 490-year imprisonment of Robert Orya, the former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, for his involvement in a N2.4 billion fraud. A three-member panel, led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, unanimously dismissed Orya's appeal against the Federal Capital Territory High Court's judgment.

The other panel members were Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche. Justice Danjuma stated that the appeal lacked merit, affirming the trial court's decision made by Justice F.E.

Messiri on February 5, 2026. Orya was convicted on 49 counts of obtaining money by false pretenses, forgery, and advance fee fraud.

The trial court sentenced him to 10 years for each count, totaling 490 years, though the sentences are to run concurrently. Orya was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after being arraigned in 2021.

He served as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank from August 14, 2009, to August 18, 2014.