Apex court affirms conviction, orders former Akwa Ibom finance commissioner to refund N204m to state government.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on February 27, 2026, affirmed the conviction and seven-year prison sentence handed to Senator Albert Bassey over fraud-related offences.

The apex court also ordered the senator to refund N204 million (Two Hundred and Four Million Naira) to the Akwa Ibom State Government.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah after the court reviewed the appeal filed by Bassey. In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the earlier judgment of the trial court.

Bassey’s prosecution began when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The prosecution, led by Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), charged him with receiving bribes, including 12 vehicles valued at N254 million, while serving as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.

On December 1, 2022, the trial court convicted him on a seven-count charge and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to a total of 42 years.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Bassey appealed the judgment. A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo, reviewed the case and gave its decision, which included an option of fine. However, the Supreme Court subsequently set aside parts of that judgment and restored the decision of the trial court.