Court sacks Senator Akpan Bassey, orders refund of salaries he received as lawmaker

Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East District, Albert Bassey Akpan has been sacked by a Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital.

The court, in its judgment delivered on Monday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Akpan and he lawmaker should also refund salaries paid to him.

The court also ordered that nation’s electoral umpire to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Hon. Bassey Etim, whom the court established, as the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the December 2014 primary election.

The Federal High Court also directed Senator Bassey Albert to vacate his seat and ordered the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki to swear in Etim, as the Senator representing the area.

Etim, had dragged Akpan, the PDP and INEC before the Federal High Court, Uyo, challenging the nomination of the Senator.