Court remands 6 over kidnap, murder of UNICAL professor
Late Prof Ephraim
IDONGESIT INYANG, CALABAR
The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State and presided over by Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oshoghorie, has ordered the remand of six suspects at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Afokang, Calabar South over the kidnap, murder of UNICAL Professor and others
The kidnappers are Patrick Essien Etim, also known as PATO; Etim Effiong Eyo, alias IT-CAN-HAPPEN; Anthony Essien Etim, known as HUMBLE; Bassey Anthigha Asuquo; Isaac Uwem Ekpenyong, also called Kemzy Stunt; Ekpeyong Effiok Eyo, alias YOBO; and Imoh John Udofa, known as IMOPART.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on various dates, between December 2025 and January 2026, following investigations into a series of kidnapping and criminal activities within Calabar and its environs.
In case number FHC/CA/M10/26, State Security Service Versus Patrick Etim and six others, the security agency filed a motion asking for an order to detain the suspects.
The court ordered their remand in correctional custody pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions while the case is adjourned to April 21, 2026.
The suspects were linked to the kidnapping and death of late Professor Ekanem Phillip Ephraim of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, as well as the kidnappings of Mrs. Eme Udeme Daniel, Dr. Roland Ipuole, Francis Kibe, and James Osim.
They were also being held over allegations of multiple vandalism of public electrical infrastructure in Calabar.
