Former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Robert Orya, has suffered another legal setback after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld his conviction and 490-year imprisonment over a N2.4bn fraud case. The three-member appellate panel, led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, unanimously dismissed Orya’s appeal challenging the decision of the Federal Capital Territory High […]

Former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Robert Orya, has suffered another legal setback after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld his conviction and 490-year imprisonment over a N2.4bn fraud case.

The three-member appellate panel, led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma, unanimously dismissed Orya’s appeal challenging the decision of the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche were the other members of the panel that heard the appeal. The court agreed with the findings of the trial court and affirmed its judgment delivered on February 5, 2026.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said Justice Danjuma ruled that the former bank chief’s appeal had no merit after the panel reviewed the arguments presented by both sides.

The judge said the issues raised by Orya were resolved in favour of the respondent and against the appellant, leading the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the earlier judgment.

Orya was charged by the EFCC in 2021 on 49 counts relating to obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud. The charges were connected to an alleged N2.4bn fraud.

At the end of the trial, the FCT High Court found him guilty on all 49 counts, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice F.E. Messiri subsequently handed down a 10-year prison sentence on each count. The individual sentences amounted to 490 years, although they were ordered to run concurrently.

Orya later appealed the conviction, asking the Court of Appeal to overturn both the findings and the sentence imposed by the lower court. His effort, however, failed as the appellate court upheld the entire judgment.

The former NEXIM Bank chief headed the institution from 2009 to 2016. He was appointed by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua on August 14, 2009, and was reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.