A Federal High Court in Calabar has ordered the remand of six individuals in connection with the alleged abduction and murder of Prof. Ekanem Phillip Ephraim, a Neurology Professor at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
The order was issued on Wednesday by Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of Court Two, who directed that the suspects be kept at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Afokang pending further legal processes.
Those remanded include Patrick Essien Etim, popularly known as Pato; Etim Effiong Eyo, also called “It Can Happen”; Anthony Essien Etim, alias Humble; Bassey Anthigha Asuquo; Isaac Uwem Ekpeyong, known as Kemzy Stunt; Ekpeyong Effiok Eyo, alias Yobo; and Imoh John Udofa, also known as Imopart.
The remand followed an ex parte application filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) in suit number FHC/CA/M10/26, seeking permission to detain the suspects while investigations continue and legal advice is obtained. The court granted the request and adjourned the matter to April 21, 2026.
Operatives of the DSS reportedly arrested the suspects between December 2025 and January 2026 after investigations into alleged kidnapping activities in Calabar and its environs.
Security sources have linked the suspects not only to the alleged killing of Prof. Ephraim but also to the kidnappings of Mrs. Eme Udeme Daniel, Dr. Roland Ipuole, Francis Kibe and James Osim. They are further accused of vandalising public electricity infrastructure in parts of the city.
The case will resume upon the issuance of legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecutions.