Court remands 7 over kidnap, death of UCTH Professor

A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has ordered the remand of seven suspects in connection with the abduction and death of Professor Ekanem Ephraim of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Justice Rosemary Oshoghorie, who presided over the matter, directed that the accused persons be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Afokang pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The court’s decision.

The accused are Patrick Etim, also known as PATO; Etim Eyo, alias IT-CAN-HAPPEN and Anthony Etim, known as HUMBLE.

Others are Bassey Asuquol, Isaac Ekpenyong, also called Kemzy Stunt; Ekpeyong Eyo, alias YOBO; and Imoh Udofa, known as IMOPART.

In case number FHC/CA/M10/26, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a motion ex parte seeking an order to detain Patrick Etim and six others.

The court subsequently ordered their remand in the correctional facility and adjourned the case until April 21.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused were arrested by the DSS on different dates, between December 2025 and January.

According to the DSS, their arrest followed investigations into a series of kidnappings and criminal activities within Calabar and its environs.

The security agency alleged that the accused were linked to the kidnapping and death of Ephraim and the abductions of Mrs Eme Daniel, Dr Roland Ipuole, Francis Kibe and James Osim.