The gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State, Bassey Albert, has been jailed to 42 years in prison for corruption.
A Federal High Court in Uyo, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced Albert who was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The convict was immediately taken to Ikot Ekpene prisons, Akwa Ibom State, where he may likely spend the next 42 years of his life.
Albert, a serving senator representing Akwa Ibom North East District, was accused of receiving bribes of 12 cars worth N254 million from an oil marketer, Olajidee Omokore, during his (Albert’s) tenure (2010 – 2014) as Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.
The convicted senator was a member of the People’s Democratic Party, the ruling party in the state, before he defected months ago to the YPP, where he secured the party’s ticket for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
Albert has been touted as a major challenger to the PDP candidate, Umo Eno, in next year’s governorship election in Akwa Ibom State.
