Bassey Albert, a former finance commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, has finally addressed his supporters after being imprisoned but granted bail by a federal high court in Rivers State on Wednesday.
Senator Albert was given a 42-year prison term after being found guilty of corruption by a federal high court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Albert is currently a YPP (Young Progressives Party) candidate for governor of the state.
The senator for Akwa Ibom North-East District was successfully prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who found him guilty of the charges of corruption levelled against him.
On 1 December 2022, trial judge Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo found the senator guilty on all six counts and sentenced him to seven years in jail for each count, for a total of 42 years.
The sentence is to be served concurrently, meaning he would be incarcerated for seven years.
After the ruling, the senator was brought to the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre to serve his time.
In a Facebook post on the first day of the new year, Albert called his 28 days in jail an “unjust incarceration” to his supporters and the state’s people.
The senator’s “unforgettable” reception from his supporters and party members resulted in major traffic jams in both Ikot Ekpene and Uyo.
On Thursday, he was granted his freedom from jail.
“I, therefore, use this opportunity to thank the great people of Akwa Ibom State and indeed other well-meaning Nigerians – men, women, youths and children who prayed ceaselessly and tirelessly for God’s divine intervention and who, in their unquantifiable numbers, thronged the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre on 29 December 2022, while others lined the routes to Uyo as well as assembled at Senator Bassey Albert Multi-purpose Recreational Centre, Ifa Ikot Akpan, along Airport Way, to welcome me after my release.
“That massive reception will ever remain unforgettable and indelible in our hearts,” he said.
Albert, who has a lot of political backing in Akwa Ibom, was touring the state’s several wards before he was convicted.
He reminded the people that the best interests of the state were served by his plans, which he said were founded on five pillars:
- Agriculture and rural development;
- Education, health, and social services;
- Economic prosperity and infrastructure;
- Security, environment, and tourism;
- Administrative reforms and project completion.
The senator urged the people to be strong in the face of “financial enticement and intimidation,” saying they have “experienced harrowing economic hardship, deprivations, and political suppression” under Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Umo Eno, the preferred successor of Emmanuel, is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Many believe that Albert poses a significant challenge to Umo Eno’s ambition.
In his New Year’s speech to the party, Albert remarked, “As we berth into the year 2023, we have to be fully conscious and prepared that the election year we all yearned for is finally here!”
“The elections which are in February and March offer us all the decisive moments to change the course of our history by voting for me as Governor of Akwa Ibom State as well as for all the candidates of the YPP Akwa Ibom state.”
He said, “Let us take it as our time to arise and shine. We must not falter no matter the amount of financial enticement, intimidation and false promises. If a regime cannot prove its worth in 8 years, it has no locus standi to seek a renewal of mandate through a surrogate.”