Court sacks Senator Bassey Akpan, orders refund of salaries Senator Bassey Albert Akpan has been sacked from the Senate by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bassey Akpan has been senator representing the Uyo Senatorial District since 2015, after his position as Commissioner for Finance in Uyo State ended in 2014. This court ruling took place after he joined the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
The Presiding judge, Justice Fadima Murtala Aminu, announced Senator Akpan’s dismissal from the Senate and his seat vacant. Justice Aminu then instructed INEC to hold an bye election in order to fill the void.
This decision was made in accordance with section 65(2)[B] of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution.
The Judge also ordered Bassey to return all benefits and funds recieved since July 2022 to the National House of Assembly. July 2022 was the month he allegedly left PDP for YPP.
Senator Bassey reportedly terminated membership with the PDP before the expiration of his term to represent the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District. A lawsuit with the file number FHC/ABJ/CS/1249/2022 was then made against Senator Akpan.
The lawsuit beame the determinant used by Justice Aminu to rule against Senator Bassey. The Presiding judge ruled that within the circumstances, Senator Bassey Akpan has lost his qualifications to hold the office, since the PDP had sponsored to the senatorial position.
