The senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East and governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Congress (YPP), Mr. Bassey Akpan, has appealed to his supporters in the state to remain peaceful while he appeals the 42-year jail sentence slapped on him by a Federal High Court in Uyo.
Recall that Akpan was yesterday sentenced to 42 years in prison for receiving bribes of 12 cars worth N254 million from an oil marketer, Olajide Omokore, during his (Akpan’s) tenure as commissioner for finance in Akwa Ibom State between 2010 and 2014.
The presiding judge, Justice Agatha Okeke, convicted the YPP candidate on six counts bordering on money laundering, including graft.
The YPP candidate was taken to the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre, where he would serve the jail term.
Akpan was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 24, 2019 on charges of corruption over the receipt of exotic vehicles estimated at over N204m.
In May 2010, Akpan, who was then the commissioner for finance, Akwa Ibom State, was alleged to have received from one Jide Omokore a BMW X5 (bullet-proof car) worth N50m; in December 2012, another Infinity QX56 (bullet-proof) worth N45m was also received from the same source.
Again, in November 2013, he received a Toyota Land cruiser V8 (bullet-proof) valued at N40m and in March 2014, he received a Range Rover, valued at N40m; in September 2014, another Toyota Hiace High Roof bus valued at N27m was received from the businessman.
The senator was also alleged to have received, at different times between 2012 and 2014, Toyota Hiace High Roof buses valued at N16m and six units of Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N36m.
Delivering judgment on the matter, recalled that the convict was commissioner of finance in the state when the crime was committed.
“That you, Albert Bassey, whilst being the Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee (IMDLCC), sometime in December 2012, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, indirectly took possession of a vehicle (Infinity QX 56 BP) valued at N45, 000, 000.00 at the instance of one Olajide Jones Omokore, whose companies had contracts with Akwa Ibom State Government at that material time, when you reasonably ought to have known that the said vehicle formed part of proceed of unlawful activity (to wit: corruption) and you, thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act,” she said.
She ruled that Akpan must serve seven years in prison for each of the six counts. The jail term is to run concurrently.
Reacting to the sentencing, the campaign organisation of the jailed governorship candidate, ‘Akwa Ubok Abasi Campaign Organisation’ appealed to the party’s supporters in the state to “remain calm and steadfast over the Federal Court judgment” assuring that the case will be upturned on appeal.
In a statement entitled ‘Remain calm and steadfast, we’ll appeal this travesty of justice!’ and signed by the chairman of the campaign council, Mr. Emem Akpabio, the organisation alleged that justice was turned on its head, just to please the powers that be in the state.
“On Thursday, December 1st, 2022, Akwa Ibom State citizens nay all Nigerians witnessed judicial absurdity in its rarest form. They saw how justice was turned on its head, just to please the powers that be in the State.
“That Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State could so decide to enter judgement against Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, in a suit where his innocence was glaringly obvious from day one that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) instituted it; is absolutely a travesty of justice. We therefore reject and condemn it in its entirety. The dust it has stirred against the judiciary would only be redeemable by a reversal,” it said.
It added that as a group of responsible persons fully guided by law, it had “resolved to follow up the outcome with philosophical calmness. Accordingly, we will take necessary steps to redress the kangaroo judgement through appeal and we are sure that the grievous wrong will be corrected.”
The campaign council reminded the supporters, admirers and the good people of Akwa Ibom State seeking to be freed from the current shackles of maladministration, servitude, poverty, impoverishment that “is just a temporary setback designed by God to test our faith and propel us to higher heights and freedom.
“There were the specific instances of Joseph in the Bible, who came from prison to become the Prime Minister of Egypt; Nelson Mandela; Kwame Nkrumah; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, among others, came from prison to become the President of their respective nations; even Theodore Orji emerged from prison to win his gubernatorial election as governor of Abia State. The tyrant may have his temporary victory, but the people and God’s will always prevail at the end.
“The mission to redeem Akwa Ibom State from the decadent administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel remains unstoppable. In this regard, we make bold to declare publicly that Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, CON, remains the arrowhead of this movement, and we collectively and individually stand by him and remain irrevocably committed to this genuine cause. Akwa Ibom State MUST be free and freed from underdevelopment, want and lack being inflicted on the people,” it stated.
Besides, the council drew attention the “recent mine-blowing revelations on the financial mismanagement of Akwa Ibom State in the past seven years as daily exposed online added with the 13 per cent Derivation Refunds by the Federal Government, have made it even more urgent for compatriots to rise and change the political narratives in Akwa Ibom State.
“We call on all members of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State, supporters, friends, well-wishers and well-meaning citizens to remain calm as we know for sure that there is light at the end of the tunnel! From the ashes of this dark night will emerge a bright tomorrow.”
