The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has ordered the remand of six suspects in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of a University of Calabar professor, alongside other related offences.
The defendants: Patrick Essien Etim (aka PATO); Etim Effiong Eyo (aka IT‑CAN‑HAPPEN); Anthony Essien Etim (aka HUMBLE); Bassey Anthigha Asuquo; Isaac Uwem Ekpeyong (aka Kemzy Stunt); Ekpeyong Effiok Eyo (aka YOBO); and Imoh John Udofa (aka IMOPART) — were committed to the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Afokang, Calabar South.
Presiding judge, Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oshoghorie of Federal High Court 2, issued the order following an ex parte application by the State Security Service (SSS) in Suit No. FHC/CA/M10/26: State Security Service v. Patrick Etim & 6 others. The SSS sought leave to detain the suspects pending further investigation and legal advice.
Granting the application, the court directed that the suspects remain in correctional custody until advice is received from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The matter was adjourned to 21 April 2026.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested the suspects between December 2025 and January 2026 after investigations into kidnapping and related criminal activities in Calabar and its environs.
They are alleged to be linked to the kidnapping and death of Prof. Ekanem Phillip Ephraim of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, as well as the abductions of Mrs. Eme Udeme Daniel, Dr. Roland Ipuole, Francis Kibe, and James Osim. The suspects are also under investigation for alleged vandalism of public electrical infrastructure in Calabar.
