The Supreme Court has sentenced Senator Albert Bassey to seven years in prison over a N240 million fraud case and ordered him to refund N204 million to the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Bassey served as Senator representing the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District from June 2015 to January 2023 under the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
The apex court gave the ruling on Friday, February 27, 2026, after reviewing his appeal.
In a decision delivered by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah on behalf of a five-member panel, the court upheld the earlier judgment that found him guilty.
It also ruled that the Court of Appeal was wrong to set aside the restitution order earlier made by the trial court.
The Supreme Court restored that order, directing Bassey to repay N204 million.
Bassey’s legal battle began after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged him before the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ekele Iheanacho, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, led the prosecution team.
He was accused of receiving 12 vehicles valued at N254 million as bribes while serving as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.
On December 1, 2022, Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court convicted him on seven counts and sentenced him to seven years on each count, amounting to 42 years in total.
He later challenged the judgment at the Court of Appeal, where a three-man panel led by Justice Rapheal Chikwe Agbo upheld his conviction but granted him an option of fine.
The case eventually reached the Supreme Court, which affirmed the conviction and seven-year sentence while restoring the order for the refund of N204 million to the state government.
