By Frank Ulom

CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has remanded six persons suspected of kidnapping and killing Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, a prominent Professor of Neurology at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Those remanded 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 Ekpeyong, also called Kemzy Stunt; Ekpeyong Effiok Eyo, alias YOBO; and Imoh John Udofa, known as IMOPART.

They were remanded on Wednesday by Justice Roasemary Dugbo Oshoghorie of Federal High Court 2, Calabar, at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Afokang, Calabar.

In case number FHC/CA/M10/26, State Security Service Versus Patrick Etim and six others, the security agency filed a Motion Exparte asking for an order to detain the suspects.

The court ordered their remand in correctional custody pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Justice Oshoghorie adjourned the case to 21 April 2026.

Converseer reports the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) between December 2025 and January 2026, following investigations into a series of kidnappings and criminal activities within Calabar and its environs.

The suspects are linked to the kidnapping and death of late Professor Ekanem Phillip-Ephraim, as well as the kidnappings of Mrs Eme Udeme Daniel, Dr Roland Ipuole, Francis Kibe, and James Osim.

They are also being held over allegations of multiple instances of vandalism of public electrical infrastructure in Calabar.