A lecturer at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Abel Udo Jacob, and his accomplice, Innocent Nicholas Ntokon, have been sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison by the Akwa Ibom State High Court for their involvement in a N50 million extortion scheme.
Delivering the verdict on Wednesday, Justice Augustine Odokwo found that the men subjected businessman Edikan Jacob Jackson to years of intimidation, threats, and financial exploitation, resulting in losses exceeding N50 million.
Court proceedings revealed that between 2016 and 2020, Ntokon, identified as a leader of the Klans Confraternity, allegedly sent armed men to Jackson’s businesses and threatened his family to enforce regular payments.
Jacob, the polytechnic lecturer, was found to have facilitated the operation by acting as the syndicate’s “financial clearinghouse,” allowing the illegally obtained funds to pass through his account. The judge dismissed his claim that he believed the money was linked to “NDDC roofing contracts,” describing it as inconsistent with the evidence.
In a forceful judgment lasting about two hours, Justice Odokwo described Ntokon as “a predator hiding behind the guise of a trader, yet ruthless and merciless in his actions.”
Ntokon was sentenced to eight years for offences including demanding with menace, stealing, terrorism, and cultism, while Jacob received three years for demanding with menace, stealing, and terrorism.
The sentences will run concurrently, totaling 11 years.
The court also ordered the pair to pay N25 million jointly and severally to the victim and emphasized that crime must not be allowed to pay.
Additionally, a Toyota Avensis and a Mercedes-Benz, reportedly purchased with proceeds from the crime, were ordered forfeited to the state and slated for auction, with the sale proceeds to partially compensate the victim.
