Supreme Court Upholds Seven-Year Jail Term for Senator Albert Bassey in N240m Fraud Case

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the conviction and seven-year prison sentence imposed on Senator Albert Bassey over a N240 million fraud case, bringing a decisive end to the protracted legal battle.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, February 27, 2026, a five-member panel of the apex court upheld the earlier judgments of the trial court and the Court of Appeal.

The lead judgment, read by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, also restored an order directing the restitution of N204 million to the Akwa Ibom State Government.

The court held that while the Court of Appeal rightly affirmed the conviction and sentence handed down on June 23, 2023, it erred in setting aside the restitution order originally made by the trial court.

“The conviction and sentencing imposed by the lower court are hereby affirmed,” Justice Adah ruled.

“However, the decision of the lower court nullifying the restitution order did not accord with the law. That order is hereby set aside, and the restitution of N204 million as directed by the trial court is restored.”

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

The anti-graft agency, led by prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, arraigned him before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Akwa Ibom State on allegations of receiving bribes in the form of 12 vehicles valued at N254 million during his tenure as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.

On December 1, 2022, the trial court convicted Bassey on all seven counts filed against him and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to a cumulative 42 years. The sentences, however, were to run concurrently.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Bassey approached the Court of Appeal, where a three-member panel led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo upheld his conviction but introduced an option of fine.

The matter subsequently proceeded to the Supreme Court, which has now conclusively affirmed the conviction and custodial sentence while reinstating the restitution order, effectively closing the chapter on the high-profile corruption case.