Senator Albert Bassey Akpan representing Akwa Ibom North East has appealed judgement sacking him as Senator for defecting to the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
Akpan was formerly a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which won him election in 2019 to the upper legislative Chamber.
CAPITAL POST recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has sentenced the Senator to 42 years in prison for corruption.
Akpan, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissíon (EFCC).
He was sentenced by Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and receipt of exotic cars worth N204 million when he was Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State, but was recently granted bail on health conditions.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on the 20th January, 2023 sacked him from being a member of the Senate.
Reacting to the sack in a statement by Akpan’s Senior Legislative Aide, Barrister Ini Utuk, on Monday, said, the lawmaker has appealed the judgement at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on the 24th January, 2023.
Utuk explained that the Senator, who is also the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom State, has also filed an application for stay of execution of the orders contained in the judgement under reference before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Part of the statement read, “In view of several concerns expressed by teaming supporters and constituents of the Distinguished Senator, Barrister Utuk enjoined all constituents, supporters, friends and associates of the Distinguished Senator to remain calm and law abiding while the matter is on appeal.
“Let me on behalf of Distinguished Senator Albert Bassey Akpan, reassure our supporters that the Distinguished Senator remains committed to and will continue with the service of his people at all times,” he stated.
