The Federal High Court in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, has removed the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial district, Bassey Akpan, from office.

In a judgment delivered on Monday, the court held that Akpan was not the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 senatorial election in the state, rather, it was Bassey Etim.

According to the ruling, Akpan, who is currently the Senate Committee Chairman on gas, contested for the PDP governorship ticket in the state, and not for senate.

Trial Judge, Fatun Riman ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately issue a certificate of return to Etim, who was a former member of the Federal House of Representatives.

Justice Rimen also directed the Senate to swear Etim in as the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial district.

The court ruled that Akpan has 90 days within which to refund all the money he has received as allowances and emoluments so far from the national assembly.

It would be recalled that Etim had filed a law suit against Bassey Akpan, the PDP and INEC before the Federal High Court, Uyo, challenging Akpan’s nomination as senatorial candidate, even though it was obvious that he (Etim) convincingly won the party’s primaries.

Consequently, the court faulted the primary that produced Akpan as flag-bearer of the PDP and the subsequent election that made him Senator.