Bassey Albert, Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election 2023 is presently challenging eventual winner, Umo Eno (PDP) in the tribunal.

The Calabar Division of the Court of Appeal, on Friday, June 23, 2023 upheld the conviction of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan on money laundering charges by a Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and ordered his arrest.

Justice Agatha Okeke had on December 1, 2022, found Senator Akpan, then governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, guilty of seven-counts of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and sentenced him to 42 years imprisonment, without an option of fine.

Akpan was prosecuted on allegation of receiving vehicles valued at N240 million as bribe from companies linked to one Olajide Omokore, a contractor who executed a N3Billion contract for the Government of Akwa Ibom State whilst Senator Bassey was Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee. The offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and is punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

However, dissatisfied with the judgment, Senator Akpan on December 29, 2022, approached a Vacation Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, presided over by Justice S. I. Mark of the Federal High Court and secured a post-conviction bail on health grounds. But upon release from prison, Senator Akpan continued with his campaign to be governor of Akwa Ibom State and subsequently approached the Appellate Court in Calabar, to set aside the judgment of Justice Okeke.

While arguing against the appeal, counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho urged the Court to uphold the judgment of the lower court, dismiss the appeal and revoke the said bail granted to Senator Bassey on the grounds that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and the charge was validly filed”.

Delivering judgment today, the three-man panel of the Appellate Court, led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo JCA (alongside Hamma Akawu Barka and Balkisu Bello Aliyu JJCA), upheld the conviction of Senator Akpan but varied the sentence by granting the appellant an option of fine.

The Court also affirmed that the appellant should restitute the sum of N240 million to the Federal Government through the EFCC and that the said restitution shall not be a prerequisite for his release from the correctional facility.

The Court finally revoked the bail and ordered the arrest of Senator Akpan.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

This one don jam agbako

Ghen ghen

Naija which way?

I swear, I no read am

He who comes to equality must come with a clean hands

Interesting

Nice Move

This is how Udom retire him, he should join APC asap and be aquited of all charges.

Wahala

Let the convicted Sin-ator enjoy his political retirement in prison

fergie001:
Bassey Albert, Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election 2023 is presently challenging eventual winner, Umo Eno (PDP) in the tribunal.



Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Restitute 240 million Naira, chai, where will he get the money to pay his lawyers fighting Governorship case for him?

Everybody is a CRIMINAL according to one musician.

It means all politicians are CRIMINALS

This is what Fela called double wahala for deadi bodi

Nice 1.. see as in foolish fans wey dey mk noise for nairaland don hide enta hole

Gov. Umo Eno is here to stay..

know this and know peace.. 4 + 4..

In propagandist dem for nairaland na next..

this country is just a joke.

So they would have allowed him to go scot free of he didn't challenge the election of the incumbent governor? This isn't justice, it's called witch hunting in politics

Udom is not retiring alone.
Onofiok Luke and Nsima Ekere are eerily quiet.

Wahala

YADNUS11:
This is how Udom retire him, he should join APC asap and be aquited of all charges.

Umo Eno will still be sacked.if oba is not qualified,apc that took third will take over

fergie001:
Bassey Albert, Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the Akwa Ibom Governorship Election 2023 is presently challenging eventual winner, Umo Eno (PDP) in the tribunal.



Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Umo Eno counterattacks.oba should disappear like nwaoboshi

YADNUS11:
This is how Udom retire him, he should join APC asap and be aquited of all charges.

True true na 42 years without option of fine?

All of them na thieves, this is just witch-hunting

Joke of the century. What is the other option

[sup][/sup]

Westerhoffe:
Define Bad Market again?
The whole bribe was forfeited.
Him com enter prison join am.

Him village people reason him matter no be small. [b][/b]Now as them don escort am go prison, them go rest[b].[/b][b][/b]

Chai

Theory3:
This one don jam agbako