The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the conviction and seven-year prison sentence imposed on Albert Bassey, former Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State, for accepting bribes worth N204 million.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Stephen Jonah Adah, delivered the unanimous ruling on Friday, February 27, 2026, dismissing Bassey's appeal and affirming the decisions of both the trial court and the Court of Appeal.
The court also restored the trial court's order of restitution, requiring Bassey to refund the sum of N204 million to the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Bassey, who later became Senator for Akwa Ibom North-East, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corrupt practices during his tenure as Finance Commissioner and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.
He was accused of receiving bribes, including multiple luxury vehicles (valued collectively at around N204 million to N254 million), from oil marketer Jide Omokore in connection with dealings involving the state government and former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The EFCC charged him in 2019 before the Federal High Court in Uyo. In December 2022, Justice Agatha Okeke convicted him on all seven counts, initially sentencing him to seven years per count (totaling 42 years) and ordering restitution of N204 million.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the conviction but adjusted aspects of the sentence.
Bassey's final appeal to the Supreme Court was rejected, with the apex court affirming the seven-year term handed down on June 23, 2023, while criticizing and reversing the appellate court's decision to set aside the restitution order.
Justice Adah stated: “The order of this court is that the conviction and sentencing imposed by the lower court on the 23 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.”
The ruling marks a major victory for the EFCC's anti-corruption campaign and reinforces accountability for public office holders, ensuring the recovery of illicit gains for the state.
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