Supreme Court upholds seven-year jail term for Sen Albert

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday, February 27, 2026, affirmed the conviction and seven-year prison sentence handed to Senator Albert Bassey over a N240 million fraud case, and restored an order directing him to refund N204 million to Akwa Ibom State.

In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, the five-member panel upheld the earlier judgments of the trial court and the Court of Appeal, ruling that the conviction and sentence imposed on June 23, 2023, remain valid.

The apex court, however, faulted the Court of Appeal for setting aside the restitution order earlier made by the trial court.

It consequently restored the order directing Bassey to repay N204 million.

“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.

“However, the decision of the lower court nullifying the restitution order did not follow the law and is hereby set aside.

“The restitution of N204 million made by the trial court is restored,” Justice Adah held.

Bassey’s legal troubles began following his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency, through its prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, arraigned him before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court 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 convicted on all seven counts and sentenced on December 1, 2022, to seven years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to a cumulative 42 years.

On appeal, a three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo upheld the conviction but introduced an option of fine.

Dissatisfied, the matter proceeded to the Supreme Court, which has now affirmed the conviction and reinstated the restitution order.