BREAKING: Supreme Court sends ex-Akwa Ibom Senator, Bassey Albert to prison over N204M fraud

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the conviction and seven-year prison sentence handed to Senator Albert Bassey, while also restoring an order for the restitution of N204 million to Akwa Ibom State.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, February 27, 2026, a five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, upheld the earlier decisions of the trial court and the Court of Appeal which found the former lawmaker guilty of corruption-related offences.

The Supreme Court ruled that the conviction and sentencing imposed on June 23, 2023, remain valid. However, the court held that the Court of Appeal erred when it set aside the restitution order earlier granted by the trial court.

Justice Adah stated that the proper legal position was to restore the order directing the defendant to refund N204 million to Akwa Ibom State.

The senator’s conviction followed his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations that he received bribes in the form of 12 vehicles valued at N254 million while serving as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.

He was initially tried before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court and convicted on a seven-count charge bordering on corruption. The trial court sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on each count.

Although the Court of Appeal later upheld the conviction and granted him an option of fine, the Supreme Court reviewed the matter and affirmed the custodial sentence while reinstating the restitution order.

The apex court’s ruling effectively brings an end to the prolonged legal battle, confirming both the prison term and the financial recovery order.