Albert was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prior to the landmark verdict when he won the election before defecting to the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in July 2022, where he emerged as its governorship candidate.

He was arraigned in 2019 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge of allegedly taking possession of six vehicles worth N204 million while serving as the state finance commissioner.

According to the anti-graft agency, he obtained one of the vehicles from Jide Omokore, an associate of former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Since the former petroleum minister, Alison-Madueke fled the country attempts by the EFCC to bring her to justice in Nigeria for alleged acts of corruption have failed.

But several of her allies have come under scrutiny with many facing fraud-related charges and prosecution in court.

According to the EFCC, Omokore reportedly had dealings with the state when he offered Bassey the vehicle.

While delivering the judgment on Thursday, the presiding judge, Agatha Okeke, found the senator guilty of all the offenses preferred against him.

He was subsequently sent to Ikot Ekpene prison to serve his jail term.