Senator Bassey Albert, the gubernatorial nominee for the Young Progressives Party (YPP), was given a 42-year prison sentence for corruption.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought charges against Mr Albert, who was found guilty and given a sentence by a Federal High Court in Uyo on Thursday.
He is currently incarcerated in Ikot Ekpene prisons in Akwa Ibom State.
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During his time as commissioner for finance in Akwa Ibom State (2010-2014), Mr Albert, a sitting senator representing Akwa Ibom North East District, was accused of accepting bribes of 12 cars worth N254 million from an oil marketer, Olajidee Omokore.
The convicted senator defected from the state’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a few months ago and is now on the YPP’s ticket for governor in 2023.
In the upcoming Akwa Ibom State governorship election, he posed a serious challenge to the PDP’s nominee, Umo Eno.