Bassey Akpan, the gubernatorial candidate for from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State, was found guilty of fraud on Friday by the Court of Appeal in Calabar.
The former senator from Akwa Ibom North-East District was given a 42-year prison sentence for fraud on December 1 of last year by Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo.
Akpan was charged with six counts of fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly obtaining six vehicles valued at N204 million while serving as the state's commissioner for finance.
Later on, Justice S.I. Mark of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted him bail on the grounds of his health.
The senator then petitioned the appellate court to overturn his lower court conviction.
In a statement released on Friday night in Abuja, the EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, acknowledged the situation and stated that the court had revoked the appellant's bail and ordered his detention.
Part of the statement read: “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.
“But upon release from prison, Senator 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.
“Delivering judgment today, the three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo, upheld the conviction of Senator Akpan but varied the sentence by granting the appellant an option of fine.
“The 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.
