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

The appellate court has upheld the 490-year jail term for Orya, the former Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, who was convicted on February 5, 2026, by the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Orya was found guilty on all 49 counts, including obtaining money by false pretenses, forgery, and advance fee fraud amounting to N2.4 billion.

He served as Managing Director from August 14, 2009, appointed by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014. Following his departure from office, he was arraigned in 2021 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Dissatisfied with the judgment of Justice F.E. Messiri, Orya appealed to the appellate court, which was led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma.

The court unanimously dismissed the appeal, affirming that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that the trial judge's decision was correct.