Senator Akpan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday filed a 14-count charge at an Ikeja High Court against another serving senator, Bassey Albert Akpan, for allegedly receiving 12 cars worth N254 million as bribes.
Akpan, 45, who is representing Akwa-Ibom North-East, received the vehicles between 2010 and 2014 from Olajide Omokore, a businessman and oil mogul, when he (Bassey) served as the Akwa-Ibom Commissioner for Finance.
Akpan is to face a seven-count corruption charge as a public officer and for inviting bribes as a result of his own action.
On his part, Omokore is also facing a seven-count charge bordering on offering gratification to a public officer and giving bribe on account of the action of a public officer.
However, the duo as well as their counsel were absent in court on Monday when the case was announced for mention at 4.05 pm on Monday.
Mrs Zainab Ettu, the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, requested a new court date to enable the anti-graft commission arraign the senator and the businessman.
“We do not have the defendants in court today, though we had earlier anticipated that we would have them in court at a later date.
“We will be asking for a further date, most preferably, after vacation,” she said.
Responding, the vacation judge, Justice Obafemi Adamson noted that the case had not been assigned to a judge, making it difficult to adjourn the case after vacation.
The judge ordered that the case file should be sent to the Registry of the High Court for assignment to a judge, who will hear it.
According to the charge sheet, Bassey received the vehicles from Omokore over a five-year period (2010-2014) in Lagos.
Akpan received the bribes while serving as the Akwa-Ibom Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Akwa-Ibom State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee (IMDLCC).
On May 10, 2010, Bassey Akpan also allegedly corruptly received a BMW X5 BP worth N50 million from Omokore in December 2012 and another Infinity QX 56 BP worth N45 million from him.
On November 2013, the serving senator received a Toyota Landcruiser V8 BP valued at N40 million and in March 2014, he received a Range Rover, also valued at N40 million from the businessman as well as in September 2014, another Toyota Hiace High Roof car valued at N27 million.
Others are Toyota Hiace High Roof car valued at N16 million and six units of Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N36 million.
The anti-graft commission claimed that the car gifts were given to Bassey by Omokore in exchange for contracts from the Akwa-Ibom Government.
The offences, according to the EFCC, contravene Sections 63 (1)(a), 64 (1)(a) and 98(1), (a), (i) of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2011.
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19 Comments
am very happy about Efcc, but they are selective fayoshe and other pdp members are being investgeted but apc members are working on the street with there looted wealth even some governors & senators who serve eight years under pdp, is this the change we voted for? no truth, tribal sentiment, injustices, is that how Nigeria is going to be fixed?
I really appreciate what the EFCC is doing in the country, especially after successfully getting two APC governors incarcerated and its resolve to continue with Kalu’s case despite defecting to the ruling party.
In my opinion, the prosecutor should have applied for bench warrant against the defendants for absenting themselves and without providing any legal representation. Impunity should be exterminated in the country at all costs for the country to move forward.
History will not forgives these type of people in our land. We can’t help them with Nemesis, it is a natural thing that will catch up with them. If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime, Nigerians must wake up and be part of a New Nigeria where there is consequence for all our actions. Unlike the Nigeria we are used to where everything goes.
Senator Godswill Akpabio accepted the offer to run into Safe Heaven (APC) so, cannot be probed. As many as have looted Nigeria treasury under the safe heaven remains saints.
Why do you think so?
Every thieves and looters who partake in stealing of our common wealth in Nigeria will be probed. Either they are with Buhari or not. They will be made to pay back every kobo. Anyone that benefited from their loots including their families and friends will pay too. As for those now coming off APC to PDP and from PDP to APC, nemesis will catch up with all of them because no sinner will go unpunished as far as our country is concern. Coming to APC meant that are now part of the Nations heart beats. They are in PDP but after believing that doing things differently from the way they did it for 16 years of PDP, can helped moved the country forward, they came back to APC to help Buhari and all true Nigerians to rebuild the land. Technically they are now part of the Project New Nigeria where corruption is going to be tame, kill and buried. If you are still on the fence or the other side, it is better for you to join the team too.
What has this got to do with Senator Akpabio? Let everyone face their crime.
It is good to bring to book all political thieves and criminals who have rendered or are rendering Nigeria miserable and unfit to live in. However, if the government can call up a crime of 2010 for prosecution that is a good job. In that case it is possible to also go a little further as 1960 to date and bring them all to book. So that the prosecutor will end up being prosecuted also, because they are all criminals rendering political justice. Who is going all the past and present Nigerian presidents and their officials? Well, Buhari is doing well in this area but, I would say this “Let he that is stealing or have stolen, steal no more” the Government should audit all assets of officials (past and present), from when they came into politics, cease all their loots and pardon them to repent and become better people.
This Senate has the highest concentration of looters in the country. Immediately after looting they rush into the Senate to protect their loot and avoid conviction.
That’s why all of them are bloated in appearance.
A lot of dishonorabled SENATORS and REPRESENTATIVES loyal to Saraki, DOGORA & TAMBUWAL and even the APC are thieves. They will exposed by the grace of God.
All are thieves either APC or PDP. Don’t cover any of them. God will catch them one day.
Is he not one of Saraki’s foot soldiers in the senate? They are many in all the parties. Gradually all of them will be dealt with accordingly
Senator Bassey Albert Akpan, is facing huge corruption charges for receiving 12-cars, bribes thereby,facing corruption charges despite the fact he is a senator, of his constituency, but in the law and constitution there is nobody above the law and constitution of Nigerian.
Two jailed ex governors are apc members. Stop sounding toonignorant.of what is.happening. pdp is brainwashing you up and down. A thief is a thief..the money stolen is our money. Pdp has been in governance for 16 years of constant looting. Surely more of them.will be harvested and fried soonchicken.
Exactly bro! But few people understand this that 16 years of looting with previous administration has something to do with the collaps of present economy
If Igbo few can be blessed with more Igbo like you, very soon Nigeria will produce Igbo President to rule our dear nation. A thief is a thief no matter which party you belong. two jailed governors belong to APC. Now they are rotten in jail. PMB don’t really care who you are. if you are a thief he will go after you. PMB will step on many toes during his second term watch out. PMB may not be an economic expert, but he is good at running after thieves.
They are shallow members of APC. Just joining, not big wig like Tinubu, Oshiomole & others. Or when did former Plateau governor join APC. Infact, it was as if he joined as to save himself from EFCC, just like Akpabio now.But unlucky contrary to Akpabio case.
Not condoling corruption in anyway, thou I guess this must be PDP senator. Please Buhari, extend your anti corruption war also to APC senators and ministers in particular. That way know one would accuse you and the EFCC as selective. It would be interesting to arrange Akpabio as well!
Joshua Darius is he a pdp senator?
am very happy about Efcc, but they are selective fayoshe and other pdp members are being investgeted but apc members are working on the street with there looted wealth even some governors & senators who serve eight years under pdp, is this the change we voted for? no truth, tribal sentiment, injustices, is that how Nigeria is going to be fixed?