A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced a 29-year-old clergyman to death by hanging for the murder of his landlord.
Justice Gabriel Ette of the Akwa Ibom State High Court delivered the judgment on Thursday, finding Prince Emmanuel Umoh, the resident pastor of Living Faith Church (popularly known as Winners Chapel), Ifa Ikot Ubo–Ifa Ikot Okpon branch, guilty of killing Gabriel Bassey Edward.
Edward, a final-year Civil Engineering student of the University of Uyo, was later confirmed to have graduated with First Class honours, according to results released after his death.
How It Happened
Court proceedings revealed that Edward had relocated to his late mother’s property in Ifa Ikot Ubo to safeguard the family estate and remain close to school. Before her passing in December 2019, his mother had established a nursery school within the compound.
The property included a large hall originally built for school activities. It was subsequently leased to Living Faith Church for worship services at an annual rent of ₦150,000, with the consent of Edward’s father, Emana Bassey Edward, a retired school principal. The church reportedly began using the facility before completing payment.
Umoh was later assigned to the branch as its first resident pastor.
Events of December 21, 2020
Evidence presented in court showed that on December 21, 2020, Umoh was seen entering the compound. Neighbours later testified that they heard loud shouts of “Jesus” from within the premises.
Shortly afterward, the pastor emerged wearing a white garment stained with blood. He allegedly claimed he had fallen while attempting to hang a banner.
That was the last day Edward was seen alive.
On December 26, 2020, his decomposing body was discovered in his room, wrapped in a mat and bearing multiple deep cuts. A butcher’s knife was found beside the corpse.
Arrest and Trial
Umoh was arrested after investigators established he was the last person seen with the deceased and had unexplained blood stains on his clothing.
He was charged with one count of murder and arraigned on December 6, 2021, where he pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, the prosecution presented six witnesses, including the victim’s father.
Testimony revealed that tensions had developed between Edward and the pastor over access to church property stored in Edward’s flat.
Because the rented hall lacked doors and windows, the pastor had requested permission to keep chairs and other items inside the student’s apartment — a request the family approved.
However, the arrangement reportedly caused friction. Edward often had to return home to grant access to the items, sometimes at personal expense.
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After repeated complaints, his father directed him to provide the pastor with a spare key to ease the situation.
After reviewing the evidence and witness testimonies, the court found Umoh guilty and sentenced him to death by hanging.