Friday, July 17, 2026

HEDA hails EFCC over Sen. Bassey’s conviction; demands prosecution of accomplice Omokore 

HEDA urged that an immediate step be taken to begin Mr Omokore’s criminal prosecution.

• December 11, 2022
Albert Bassey and Olajide Omokore
Albert Bassey and Olajide Omokore.

Anti-corruption advocacy group, the Human and Environment Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for securing the conviction of Senator Albert Bassey. The body, however, called for the prosecution of Mr Bassey’s accomplice, Kids Omokore.

Mr Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East senatorial district, was sentenced to a 42-year jail term after he was found guilty of looting public funds while serving as the state’s finance commissioner.

“The Senator who has been a regular feature in our Compendium of 100 High Profile Corruption Cases in Nigeria and the conviction is a big win for the fight against corruption and also a motivation to never relent in this struggle to rid Nigeria of corrupt practice,” reads the letter signed by HEDA chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju on December 5.

In the one page document titled “Letter of Commendation and Request for Further Action,” Mr Suraju then asked the EFCC to initiate the prosecution process of Olajide Omokore, the senator’s accomplice, who bribed Mr Bassey with 12 exotic vehicles valued at N254 million.

“It is noteworthy that Senator Albert Bassey was accused of receiving bribes of twelve (12) exotic cars worth N254 million Naira from companies linked to an oil marketer, Olajide Omokore, a contractor who executed a N3billion contract for the government of Akwa Ibom State while Senator Albert Bassey was the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee,” asserted Mr Suraju in the letter.

HEDA urged that an immediate step be taken to begin Mr Omokore’s criminal prosecution. The group further requested an update from the EFCC, “under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act within seven days of receipt of the letter.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia

States

Benue govt, foundation partner to improve agriculture, boost food security

The Benue government pledged to strengthen its partnership with the Teryima and Msurshima Foundation to expand the distribution of improved foundation seed.

Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima

Politics

Borno youths mobilise thousands for Tinubu, Shettima’s re-election

Youths in Borno have mobilised thousands to canvass grassroots support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Laboratory Corporation of America

Economy

Labcorp agrees to pay $14 million to resolve false claims allegations

Laboratory Corporation of America (Labcorp), a national clinical diagnostics company, has agreed to pay $14,500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.

Redi-Bag USA, CEO Jeffrey Rabiea

Economy

Redi-Bag USA, CEO to pay $7 million over evaded customs duties allegation

Redi-Bag USA and Mr Rabiea allegedly misrepresented on customs entry forms that the country of origin of the PRCBs was Hong Kong, thus evading anti-dumping duties.

Rotimi Amaechi and Mary Amaechi

States

ADC mourns Amaechi’s mother

The African Democratic Congress expressed condolences to its vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, following the death of his mother, Mary Amaechi.

RMRDC Logo

Economy

RMRDC to boost research culture, drive diversification

RMRDC says it aims to fuel innovation, industrial growth and economic diversification by overhauling its research culture template.