ABUJA— The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the conviction and seven-year prison sentence imposed on Senator Albert Bassey over a N240 million fraud case, restoring an earlier order directing him to refund N204 million to Akwa Ibom State NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, the five-man panel upheld the rulings of the trial court and Court of Appeal, declaring that the restitution order earlier set aside was wrongly removed and must be reinstated.
Justice Adah said the high court’s original decision, which included an order for Bassey to restitute the N204 million, was legally sound and must be restored.
“The order of this court is that the conviction and sentencing imposed by the lower court on the 23rd day of June 2023 on the appellant is hereby affirmed,” Justice Adah declared, adding that the lower court’s order ignoring the restitution was set aside and the restitution restored.
The convicting judgment stems from Bassey’s prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of fraud and bribery.
According to the EFCC, Bassey, while serving as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State, received bribes comprising 12 cars valued at N254 million.
Bassey was arraigned before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo by the EFCC, prosecuted by counsel Ekele Iheanacho SAN. He was convicted on all seven counts of the charge and sentenced to seven years in prison on each count, resulting in a cumulative prison term of 42 years on December 1, 2022.
The EFCC, in its charge sheet and submissions, described the acts as a gross abuse of public trust, pointing to evidence that linked Bassey directly to the receipt of the vehicles as gratification in breach of public office.
Following the conviction, Bassey appealed to the Court of Appeal, where a three-man panel led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo upheld the conviction but modified parts of the judgment, including introducing a fine option in lieu of some penalties.
However, upon further appeal to the Supreme Court, the apex court struck down those parts of the appellate judgement that had departed from the trial court’s orders, restoring the original orders on restitution and fully affirming the conviction and sentence.
The EFCC has not yet issued an official statement following the Supreme Court ruling, but the judgment underscores the commission’s continued efforts to prosecute high-profile cases of alleged corruption and financial crimes involving public officials.
Bassey’s imprisonment is seen as a significant legal outcome in Nigeria’s ongoing war against corruption, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance on holding public office holders accountable for financial misconduct.
