The High Court of Akwa Ibom State sitting in Ikot Ekpene has sentenced a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Abel Udo Jacob, and his accomplice, Innocent Ntokon, to prison terms for their involvement in a financial extortion scheme exceeding ₦50 million.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Augustine Odokwo found the duo guilty of orchestrating what he described as a “merciless extortion scheme” against a local businessman, Edikan Jacob Jackson, between 2016 and 2020.
According to the court, Ntokon, identified as a leader of the Klans Konfraternity, used threats and intimidation to compel the victim to make monthly payments. The prosecution established that armed associates were sent to the victim’s business premises, while threats were allegedly issued against members of his family.
The court held that the sustained extortion led to significant financial losses and severe psychological trauma for the victim, including the near-collapse of his family business.
Lecturer Acted as Financial Conduit
The convicted lecturer, who holds a postgraduate degree in Engineering and teaches at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, was found to have acted as the financial clearinghouse for the syndicate.
Justice Odokwo rejected his defence that he believed the funds passing through his account were linked to “NDDC roofing contracts,” describing the explanation as inconsistent with common sense.
Sentencing and Restitution
Innocent Ntokon was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment on counts bordering on demanding with menace, stealing, terrorism, and cultism. Abel Udo Jacob received a maximum sentence of three years on charges including demanding with menace, stealing, and terrorism. The sentences are to run concurrently.
In addition to the custodial terms, the court ordered the convicts to jointly and severally pay ₦25 million in restitution to the victim.
To ensure partial recovery of proceeds, the court also ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Avensis and a Mercedes-Benz identified as assets linked to the crime. The vehicles are to be auctioned, with proceeds applied toward restitution.
The judge emphasised that the court must weigh the gravity of the psychological harm inflicted on victims and ensure that crime does not pay.
