A Federal High Court in Uyo, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Bassey Akpan to 42 years in prison for corruption.
Albert, a serving senator representing Akwa Ibom North East District, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was accused of receiving bribes of 12 cars worth N254 million from an oil marketer, Olajidee Omokore, during his (Albert’s) tenure (2010 – 2014) as commissioner for finance in Akwa Ibom State.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, the court pronounced that he was to serve seven years for each of the six charges. The judge did not include an option of a fine.
The jail term is to run concurrently.
Defence counsel, Solomon Offiong (SAN) pleaded that the court tamper justice with mercy and include an option of fine.
But that was opposed by EFCC, citing legal authority to convince the court not to give fine as an option, particularly in the light of the fact that the court had not opted for the maximum sentence.