Justice has finally prevailed for Justice Joy Unwana and her family, as a notorious kidnapper and gang member has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in her abduction and the killing of her police orderly.
The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo and presided over by Justice Chigozie Sergius, convicted 30-year-old Nkereuwem Effiong on three of four counts bordering on conspiracy, membership of a terrorist group, and kidnapping under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Effiong, a native of Ikot Ekwere Village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was found guilty of participating in the December 18, 2023, abduction of Justice Unwana and her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem.
The incident occurred at about 8 p.m along the Okobo, Esuk Inwang, Ndon Ebom Road as they were returning to Uyo from Oron.
The prosecution, handled by the Department of State Services (DSS), revealed that Effiong initially lacked legal representation, prompting the court to assign counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria in accordance with the law.
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Although Effiong pleaded guilty to all four charges, the court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf for the kidnapping charge due to the gravity of the offence and its severe penalty.
In his confessional statement presented in evidence, Effiong admitted joining a gang known as the ‘Bling Bling Marine Strike Force’ in November 2023, through an associate identified as Joseph, alias Akpa.
He told investigators that the group operated across several local government areas, including Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Atai, Udung Uko, Okobo, and Oron.
Effiong confessed to participating in three kidnapping operations, including that of Justice Unwana.
According to him, the gang collected N25 million as ransom for the judge’s release, from which he received N300,000.
He also admitted involvement in the abduction of a pastor of The Apostolic Church in Oron and another victim whose family paid N5 million for his freedom.
He further disclosed that the gang typically used minibuses for operations and also engaged in robbing locals and fishermen.
Effiong was eventually arrested on July 4, 2024, along Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo by DSS operatives following months of investigation.
In delivering judgment, Justice Sergius held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court sentenced Effiong to 25 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism, 20 years for membership of a terrorist group, and life imprisonment for kidnapping.
He was, however, discharged and acquitted on the fourth count relating to concealment of information.
