- Supreme Court affirms Senator Bassey’s conviction
- Seven-year prison sentence upheld
- N204m restitution to Akwa Ibom State restored
- Fraud case linked to public office abuse
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the seven-year jail sentence handed to Senator Albert Bassey over a N240 million fraud case, bringing an end to years of legal battles surrounding the former lawmaker.
In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirmed the conviction and sentence imposed on Senator Albert Bassey, dismissing his appeal against the judgment delivered by lower courts.
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The five-man panel, led by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, agreed that the evidence presented by the prosecution was credible and sufficient to sustain the conviction.
The apex court also ordered the restoration of the N204 million restitution to Akwa Ibom State, correcting what it described as an oversight by the Court of Appeal, which had failed to properly address the earlier restitution order made by the trial court.
“The conviction and sentencing imposed by the trial court are hereby affirmed. However, the decision of the Court of Appeal setting aside the order of restitution did not follow the law and is hereby corrected,” Justice Adah ruled.
The fraud case originated from the prosecution of Bassey by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was arraigned before the Federal High Court on a seven-count charge bordering on corruption and bribery, relating to his time as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.
According to the EFCC, Bassey received bribes in the form of 12 luxury vehicles valued at N254 million while in office.
In December 2022, the trial court convicted him on all counts and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on each charge, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
Although the Court of Appeal later upheld the conviction and introduced an option of fine, the Supreme Court overturned that aspect, insisting that the original sentence and restitution must stand.
By dismissing the appeal in its entirety, the apex court reaffirmed that public office holders must be held accountable for the abuse of public trust.