Man, 30, Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Kidnapping Joy Unwana

A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced 30-year-old Nkereuwem Felix Effiong to life imprisonment over the kidnapping of High Court Judge, Justice Joy Unwana.

Effiong was convicted on charges bordering on conspiracy, membership of a terrorist organisation, and kidnapping under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

The court heard that Justice Unwana and her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem, were abducted on December 18, 2023, at about 8 p.m. along the Okobo–Esuk Inwang–Ndon Ebom Road.

During the attack, a police orderly identified as ThankGod Ekanem was shot dead.

Prosecutors told the court that the defendant belonged to a gang known as the “Bling Bling Marine Strike Force,” allegedly led by Ubong Effiong.

The gang was said to operate across several local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, including Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Atai, Udung Uko, Okobo, and Oron, using a base at Esong Inwang Beach in Uruan.

Court documents revealed that the gang received about ₦25 million as ransom for the judge’s release, with Effiong admitting that he personally received ₦300,000 as his share.

The convict also confessed to participating in other kidnapping operations, including the abduction of a pastor of The Apostolic Church Nigeria in Oron and another victim whose family paid ₦5 million for release.

The prosecution charged Effiong under multiple counts of terrorism-related offences, including concealment of criminal activity from security agencies.

The court ordered life imprisonment following his guilty plea and the severity of the crimes, which included murder, terrorism association, and kidnapping.