The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday upheld the conviction and 490-year prison sentence imposed on former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Robert Orya, over an alleged N2.4 billion fraud.

A three-member panel led by Justice Muhammed Danjuma unanimously dismissed Orya’s appeal challenging the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Justices Ntong Festus Ntong and Ele Ejo Enenche were also members of the panel.

According to a statement by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Justice Danjuma held that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the trial court’s judgment delivered by Justice F.E. Messiri on February 5, 2026.

“I have considered all briefs filed by counsel and have gone through the record of the trial court,” Danjuma said. He added that all the issues raised in the appeal were resolved in favour of the EFCC.

The appellate court consequently dismissed the appeal and affirmed the High Court’s judgment in charge number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021.

The EFCC prosecuted Orya after arraigning him in 2021 on a 49-count charge involving obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud. The charges related to transactions valued at N2.4 billion.

The trial court found Orya guilty on all 49 counts, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Justice Messiri sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to 490 years, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Orya subsequently appealed the conviction and sentence, asking the Court of Appeal to overturn the trial court’s decision. The appellate court, however, rejected the challenge and upheld the conviction.

Orya served as NEXIM Bank’s managing director from 2009 to 2016. He was first appointed on August 14, 2009, by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and was reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 18, 2014.