N240m Fraud: Supreme Court Affirms Conviction and Sentence of Senator Albert Bassey
Abuja, Nigeria – February 27, 2026
The on Friday, February 27, 2026, affirmed the decision of the trial court and the Court of Appeal convicting and sentencing Senator Albert Bassey to seven years imprisonment and ordering the restitution of N204 million (Two Hundred and Four Million Naira) to Akwa Ibom State.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-man panel of the apex court, Justice Stephen Jonah Adah held that after reviewing the appeal filed by the appellant, the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. The panel affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal but restored the restitution order earlier made by the trial court and omitted by the appellate court.
“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, but the order of the lower court avoiding the order of restitution given by the trial court did not follow the law, so it is revised and the right order is to nullify same and thereby the restitution of sum of N204 million made by the trial court is restored,” Justice Adah declared.
Background of the Case
Senator Bassey’s legal troubles began following his prosecution by the (EFCC). The anti-graft agency, through its prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, arraigned him before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He was charged with receiving bribes in the form of 12 vehicles valued at N254 million while serving as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State. The prosecution accused him of abusing his office for personal gain, in violation of anti-corruption laws.
On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the trial court convicted him on all seven-count charges and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on each count, amounting to a cumulative 42 years.
Appeal and Final Determination
Dissatisfied with the verdict, Bassey approached the Court of Appeal. The three-man panel led by Justice Rapheal Chikwe Agbo upheld the conviction but granted an option of fine.
The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which struck out parts of the appellate court’s judgment and clarified the position of the law. While affirming the conviction and sentence imposed by the lower court, the apex court faulted the appellate court for failing to uphold the restitution order earlier granted by the trial court.
With the latest ruling, the Supreme Court has brought the protracted legal battle to a close, reinforcing the earlier conviction and ensuring that the N204 million restitution to Akwa Ibom State is enforced.
The judgment marks a significant development in Nigeria’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts and underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding accountability in public office.
