Akwa Poly lecturer Abel Udo Jacob jailed for three years alongside accomplice over extortion and cultism, with N25 million restitution ordered

Abel Udo Jacob, a lecturer at Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, and his accomplice, Innocent Nicholas Ntokon, were convicted by the State High Court for offences relating to terrorism, extortion, and cultism.

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Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Hon. Justice Augustine Odokwo sentenced Jacob to three years’ imprisonment and Ntokon to eight years.

The court also ordered the convicts to jointly pay N25 million to the victim, local businessman Edikan Jacob Jackson, who suffered severe financial and psychological trauma from their actions.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that between 2016 and 2020, Ntokon, a leader of the Klans Konfraternity, terrorised the victim through armed enforcers and death threats targeting his family.

Jacob allegedly acted as the financial intermediary, receiving extorted funds under the pretext of “NDDC roofing contracts,” a claim the court dismissed as implausible.

Justice Odokwo described Ntokon as a “predator who used the cloak of a trader to hide the heart of a hardened and merciless cultist,” emphasising the extensive psychological impact on the victim and his family.

In addition to imprisonment and financial restitution, the court ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Avensis and a Mercedes Benz assets identified as proceeds of the crime to the state for auction to provide partial compensation to the victim.

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The ruling underscores judicial intolerance for cult-related violence and extortion, sending a stern warning to those exploiting positions of influence for criminal gain.