Supreme Court Sentences Former Senator Bassei to Jail

On February 27, 2026, the Supreme Court of Nigeria sentenced former Senator Albert Bassei to seven years in prison for fraud. The court's decision followed an appeal process where a five-man panel affirmed the trial court's conviction and sentence.

Bassei was found guilty of receiving a bribe of 12 cars worth N254 million while serving in Akwa Ibom State. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led the prosecution, represented by counsel Ekel Iheanacho, while Justice Agatha Okeke presided over the case in the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The High Court had ordered Bassei to pay restitution of N204 million. Although Bassei's defense team appealed the conviction, the three-man panel, led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo, upheld the conviction and dismissed the appeal, confirming the High Court's ruling.