The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a 30-year-old man, Nkereuwem Felix Effiong, to life imprisonment for his role in the abduction of an Akwa Ibom High Court judge, Justice Joy Unwana.
Delivering judgment, Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah found Effiong guilty on three counts, including conspiracy to commit terrorism, membership of a terrorist group, and kidnapping, describing the offence as “a grave assault on the justice system and public safety.”
Justice Unwana and her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem, were kidnapped along the Okobo Esuk Inwang–Ndon Ebom Road. During the attack, the judge’s police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem, was shot and killed.
Investigations by the State Security Service led to Effiong’s arrest along Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo. According to investigators, the convict later confessed to belonging to a criminal gang known as the “Bling Bling Marine Striker Force,” allegedly led by one Ubong Effiong, also known as “Condiment,” who is still at large.
In his confessional statement, Effiong admitted participating in three major abductions, including that of Justice Unwana. He disclosed that the gang collected a ransom of ₦25 million for the judge’s release, adding that he personally received ₦300,000.
“He further confessed to the kidnapping of a pastor of The Apostolic Church in Oron and another victim whose family paid ₦5 million, from which he received ₦50,000,” a security source told the court.
Effiong also revealed that the gang often used mini-buses for their operations and sometimes targeted local residents and fishermen to raise funds.
He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, membership of a terrorist group, kidnapping, and concealment of information. However, the court discharged and acquitted him on the charge of concealing information.
Justice Onah subsequently sentenced Effiong to 25 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit terrorism, 20 years for membership of a terrorist group, and life imprisonment for the kidnapping of Justice Unwana, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The ruling has been described by security agencies as a significant victory for law enforcement in Akwa Ibom State and a strong warning to kidnapping syndicates operating in the region.
