The Appeal Court, Calabar Division, Friday, upheld the conviction of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan popularly known as as OBA on money laundering charges by a Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and ordered his arrest.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made this known on Friday in a statement by its Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren.
EFCC noted that Justice Agatha Okeke, on December 1, 2022, found Akpan guilty of seven counts of money laundering preferred against him by the EFCC and sentenced him to 42 years imprisonment, without an option of fine.
Also read: Sen OBA Begins 42-year imprisonment at Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre
The 2023 governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) was prosecuted on an allegation of receiving vehicles valued at N240 million as bribe from companies linked to one Olajide Omokore.
The statement said Omokore, a contractor, executed a N3 billion contract for the Government of Akwa Ibom State while Akpan was Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.
“The offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and is punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act,” it added.
See the full statement below:
EFCC Press Release
N240m Fraud: Court of Appeal Upholds Conviction of Senator Bassey Akpan, Orders His Arrest
The Calabar Division of the Court of Appeal, on Friday, June 23, 2023 upheld the conviction of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan on money laundering charges by a Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and ordered his arrest.
Justice Agatha Okeke had, on December 1, 2022, found Akpan, then governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, guilty of seven counts of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Okeke, however, sentenced Akpan to 42 years imprisonment without an option of a fine.
Akpan was prosecuted on allegation of receiving vehicles valued at N240 million as bribe from companies linked to one Olajide Omokore, a contractor who executed a N3 Billion contract for the Government of Akwa Ibom State whilst Senator Bassey was Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.
The offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and is punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
Not satisfied with the judgment, Akpan had, on December 29, 2022, approached a Vacation Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, presided over by Justice S. I. Mark of the Federal High Court and secured a post-conviction bail on health grounds.
But upon his release from prison, Akpan continued with his campaign to be governor of Akwa Ibom State and subsequently approached the Appellate Court in Calabar to set aside the judgment of Justice Okeke.
While arguing against the appeal, counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, urged the court to uphold the judgment of the lower Court, dismiss the appeal and revoke the said bail granted to Akpan on the grounds that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and the charge was validly filed”.
Delivering judgment on Friday, the three-man panel of the Appellate Court, led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo, upheld the conviction of Akpan, but varied the sentence by granting the appellant an option of fine.
The Appeal Court also affirmed that the appellant should restitute the sum of N240 million to the Federal Government through the EFCC and that the said restitution shall not be a prerequisite for his release from the correctional facility.
The Court finally revoked the bail and ordered the arrest of Akpan.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
23/06/2023
