The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, affirmed the conviction and sentence of a former Managing Director o...
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, affirmed the conviction and sentence of a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, over a N2.4 billion fraud.
Orya was convicted on Thursday, February 5, 2026, by Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of 49 counts, amounting to 490 years. The sentences are, however, to run concurrently.
He was arraigned in 2021 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 49-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud involving N2.4 billion.
Dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial court, Orya approached the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn his conviction.
Delivering the unanimous judgment of the three-member panel on Tuesday, Justice Muhammed Danjuma held that the appeal lacked merit.
“I have considered all briefs filed by counsel and have gone through the record of the trial court and adopted it and the issues as formulated by this appellate court in resolving this appeal.
“I looked at each and every issue and in my final analysis, all the issues formulated for the determination of this appeal are resolved in favour of the respondent and against the appellant.
“This appeal is devoid of any merit and is hereby dismissed. The judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered on February 5, 2026, in charge number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021 is hereby affirmed,” Justice Danjuma ruled.
Other members of the appellate panel were Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche.
Justice Messiri had earlier held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and found Orya guilty on all 49 counts.
The trial court consequently sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to a cumulative 490 years, but ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
Orya served as Managing Director of NEXIM Bank between 2009 and 2016. He was 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.
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