Akwa Ibom Court Hands Life Sentence to Man Behind High-Profile Kidnapping of Judge

A Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced 30-year-old Nkereuwem Felix Effiong to life imprisonment for his role in the 2023 kidnapping of High Court Judge Joy Unwana. The convict was also sentenced to additional prison terms for conspiracy and membership of a terrorist group.

Judge Unwana and her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem, were abducted on 18 December 2023 along the Okobo–Esuk Inwang–Ndon Ebom Road. During the attack, the judge’s police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem, was shot dead. The judge and her driver were held captive for five days before being released.

Effiong, a native of Ikot Ekwere in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, was convicted on three of four charges under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which included conspiracy, membership of a terrorist group, and kidnapping. He pleaded guilty to all counts, though the court entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf for the kidnapping charge due to the severity of the offence.

The case, Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Nkereuwem Felix Effiong, was prosecuted by the State Security Service (SSS), Uyo. Effiong was represented by the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

Court records show that Effiong admitted joining the “Bling Bling Marine Strike Force,” led by Ubong Effiong, alias Condiment, in November 2023. The gang reportedly operated across several local government areas, carrying out multiple kidnappings for ransom.

During his confession, Effiong detailed his participation in three abductions, including that of Judge Unwana. The gang allegedly received ₦25 million as ransom for the judge, of which Effiong claimed ₦300,000. He also admitted involvement in other kidnappings where ransoms totaled millions of naira.

Effiong was arrested on 4 July 2024 along Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo after months of investigation. Evidence presented during the trial linked him directly to the gang’s operations.

Delivering judgment on 23 February 2026, Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah found Effiong guilty on counts of conspiracy, terrorist group membership, and kidnapping. He was sentenced to:

• 25 years for conspiracy to commit terrorism
• 20 years for membership of a terrorist group
• Life imprisonment for kidnapping

Effiong was acquitted of the fourth charge concerning concealment of information. The life sentence ensures that he will spend the remainder of his natural life in prison.