Man bags life in prison for kidnapping A’Ibom judge

Nkereuwem Effiong

A Federal High Court in Uyo has sentenced 30-year-old Nkereuwem Felix Effiong to life imprisonment for his role in the abduction of a judge of the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Hon. Justice Joy Unwana.

Effiong was convicted on three of four counts, including conspiracy, membership of a terrorist group, and kidnapping under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Justice Unwana was kidnapped on December 18, 2023, alongside her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem, along the Okobo–Esuk Inwang–Ndon Ebom Road in Akwa Ibom State. They were held captive for five days. During the attack, the judge’s police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem, was shot dead.

How case unfolded

The case was prosecuted by the State Security Service (SSS), Uyo.

At arraignment, Effiong had no lawyer, prompting the court to assign him legal representation through the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

Although he initially pleaded guilty to all four counts, the court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf on the kidnapping charge due to the seriousness of the offence.

Inside the charges

Prosecutors told the court that Effiong conspired with other gang members between November 2023 and May 2024 at Esong Inwang Beach in Uruan Local Government Area to carry out terrorist acts.

He was also accused of belonging to a gang known as the “Bling Bling Marine Strike Force,” allegedly responsible for multiple kidnapping operations across Uyo and surrounding local government areas.

Confession and ransom details

In a confessional statement, Effiong admitted joining the gang in November 2023. He told investigators that the group received N25 million as ransom for Justice Unwana’s release, out of which he got N300,000.

He also confessed to participating in the kidnapping of a pastor in Oron and another victim whose family paid N5 million.

According to him, the gang used minibuses for operations and also robbed locals and fishermen.

Arrest and verdict

Effiong was arrested on July 4, 2024, along Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo after months of investigation.

Delivering judgment on February 23, 2026, Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah found him guilty on three counts, ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court sentenced him to:

*25 years for conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism

*20 years for membership in a terrorist group

*Life imprisonment for kidnapping.

He was discharged and acquitted on the fourth count of concealing information.

The ruling is seen as a major step in tackling kidnapping and terrorism-related crimes in Akwa Ibom State.