The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a 30-year-old man, Nkereuwem Felix Effiong, to life imprisonment for the abduction of Joy Unwana, a Judge of the Akwa Ibom State High Court.

Effiong, a native of Ikot Ekwere in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, was convicted on three out of a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, membership of a terrorist group, and kidnapping under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Justice Unwana was abducted on December 18, 2023, alongside her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem, at about 8:00 p.m. along the Okobo–Esuk Inwang–Ndon Ebom Road in Akwa Ibom State. The victims were held captive for five harrowing days.

During the attack, the judge’s police orderly, Thank-God Ekanem, was killed by the kidnappers, an incident that sent shockwaves across the state’s judiciary and security community.

The case was later instituted by the State Security Service (SSS), Uyo Command, and at his arraignment, the defendant had no legal representation. In compliance with constitutional provisions, the court assigned the matter to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to ensure a fair trial.

Although Effiong initially pleaded guilty to all four counts, the court entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf in respect of the kidnapping charge due to the gravity of the offence and the severe punishment attached to it.

Throughout the proceedings, the Legal Aid Council represented him, ensuring adherence to due process.

In the charge marked Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nkereuwem Felix Effiong, the prosecution alleged that, the convict conspired between November 2023 and May 2024 at Esong Inwang Beach in Uruan Local Government Area with one Ubong Effiong, alias “Condiment,” Christopher Eyibio, Emem Friday, and others still at large to commit acts of terrorism.

He was further accused of belonging to a terrorist gang known as the “Bling Bling Marine Strike Force,” allegedly headed by Ubong Effiong, alias Condiment.

Count three detailed the kidnapping of Justice Unwana and her driver, as well as the killing of her police orderly during the operation, and Count four accused him of concealing vital information about the gang’s activities and location from security agencies.

In his confessional statement admitted in evidence, Effiong disclosed that he joined the gang in November 2023 through a friend identified as Joseph, alias Akpa.

He told investigators that the gang operated across Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Atai, Udung Uko, Okobo, and Oron Local Government Areas, with its base at Esong Inwang Beach.

Effiong admitted participating in three kidnapping operations, including the abduction of Justice Unwana. He revealed that the gang received N25 million as ransom for the judge’s release, from which he personally received N300,000.

He also confessed to involvement in the kidnapping of a pastor of The Apostolic Church in Oron, for which he received N100,000, and another victim whose family allegedly paid N5 million ransom, from which he got N50,000.

The convict further admitted that the gang used minibuses for operations and sometimes robbed local residents and fishermen.

Effiong was arrested on July 4, 2024, along Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo by operatives of the State Security Service after months of surveillance and investigation into the gang’s activities.

During trial, the prosecution presented documentary and oral evidence linking him to the operations of the gang, particularly its activities at Esong Inwang Beach.

Delivering judgment on February 23, 2026, Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah held that, the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on counts one, two, and three, and sentenced Effiong to:

25 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism;

20 years imprisonment for membership of a terrorist group; and Life imprisonment for kidnapping.

He was, however, discharged and acquitted on count four, which bordered on concealment of information.

The life sentence, being the heaviest of the penalties imposed, effectively ensures that the convict will spend the rest of his life in prison, subject to statutory provisions.

The judgment is widely regarded as a significant milestone in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism-related offences in Akwa Ibom State, reinforcing the resolve of the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and protect public officers and citizens alike from violent criminal enterprises.