Court backs 10-year sentence for former NEXIM Bank boss Orya

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday turned down an appeal from Roberts Orya, the former Managing Director of the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank). He was appealing his 10-year jail sentence.

A three-member panel led by Muhammed Danjuma upheld the decision of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, which had sentenced Orya to 10 years in prison earlier in February.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Orya in 2021 with 49 counts of obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, and advance fee fraud.

According to the charges, Orya used his position to divert NEXIM Bank funds amounting to N2.4 billion through fake loan awards.

In a ruling on 5 February, the trial judge, F.E Messiri, found Orya guilty on all counts. The judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison for each count but decided that the sentences should run at the same time.

Orya quickly challenged this ruling in an appeal.

On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal's judges, including Ntong Festus Ntong, Ele Ejo Enenche, and Danjuma, unanimously dismissed the appeal and confirmed the lower court's ruling.

The EFCC announced the Court of Appeal's decision in a press release on Tuesday.

In the lead ruling, Judge Danjuma addressed all four main issues of the case against Orya.

"I have looked at all the briefs presented by the lawyers and reviewed the records from the trial court, adopting them along with the issues raised by this appellate court to resolve this appeal," Danjuma said.

"In my final analysis, all the issues raised for this appeal are in favor of the respondent and against the appellant," he explained.

He then dismissed the appeal, stating it was "without merit".

"The judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory delivered on 5 February 2026 in charge number FSC/SC/CS/487/2021 is hereby affirmed," he concluded.

Background

Orya was the managing director of NEXIM Bank from 2009 to 2016.

Former President Umaru Yar’Adua first appointed him on 14 August 2009, and President Goodluck Jonathan renewed his appointment on 18 August 2014, allowing him to serve seven years.

NEXIM is a government-owned development financial institution set up in 1991 to help diversify Nigeria's economy by supporting the non-oil export sector.

In November 2021, the EFCC charged Orya with abuse of office and related offenses involving the diversion of NEXIM’s funds.

He was accused of diverting up to N2.4 billion through fake loans supposedly granted by the bank.

One of the 49 charges claimed he paid N488 million to Treasure Mix Construction Limited as a loan.

The prosecution said this payment was made under the false claim that directors of Luxurium Leisure Services Limited had applied for and received the loan.

Another complaint involved N630 million allegedly paid under similar false circumstances.

The EFCC also claimed that Luxurium Leisure Service Limited was registered using names of non-existent individuals and others without their permission.

The agency said loans were granted to the company but were never paid back.

The prosecution called seven witnesses during the trial, which lasted over four years before the judge delivered the verdict in February, sentencing Orya to 10 years in prison.