Court sacks Akwa Ibom senator, orders refund of all allowances

Ebun Francis || A federal high court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Presided over by Justice Fatun Riman, on Monday, ordered the removal of Bassey Akpan, a lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom north-east senatorial district.

Akpan was ordered to refund all salaries and allowances earned during his stay in the senate.

Akpan is to be replaced by Bassey Etim, a former member of the house of representatives, should replace Akpan.

Etim lost the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket to Akpan, but filed a legal action against the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He asked the court to declare him as the authentic candidate of the party in the 2015 election, arguing that he was wrongly substituted in the December 7, 2014, primary election.

In his ruling, the judge ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Akpan and that the senate should swear him in as the senator representing the district.

The judge also directed INEC to issue a fresh certificate of return to Etim.

Mr. Akpan, a former commissioner for finance during the administration of Godswill Akpabio, is the chairman, Senate Committee on Gas.