The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced 30-year-old Nkereuwem Felix Effiong to life imprisonment for his role in the kidnapping of High Court judge, Justice Joy Unwana.
Justice Unwana was abducted on December 18, 2023, alongside her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem, along the Okobo–Esuk Inwang–Ndon Ebom Road. During the attack, her police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem, was shot dead. The judge and her driver were held captive for five days before regaining freedom.
Effiong, a native of Ikot Ekwere in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, was prosecuted by the State Security Service under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He was convicted on three of four counts bordering on conspiracy, membership of a terrorist group and kidnapping.
The court heard that he was a member of a gang known as the “Bling Bling Marine Strike Force,” allegedly led by Ubong Effiong, alias “Condiment.” Prosecutors said the group operated across several local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, with a base at Esong Inwang Beach in Uruan.
In a confessional statement admitted in evidence, Effiong said he joined the gang in November 2023 and participated in three kidnapping operations, including that of Justice Unwana. He told investigators the gang received N25 million as ransom for the judge’s release, from which he got N300,000.
He also admitted involvement in the abduction of a pastor in Oron and another victim whose family paid N5 million for his release. Effiong was arrested on July 4, 2024, in Uyo following months of investigation.
Delivering judgment on February 23, 2026, Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court sentenced Effiong to 25 years in prison for conspiracy, 20 years for membership of a terrorist group and life imprisonment for kidnapping.
He was discharged and acquitted on the fourth count of concealing information. The life sentence is the most severe penalty imposed and will run in accordance with the provisions of the law.
