Akwa Ibom Court Sentences Living Faith Church Pastor to Death for Landlord Murder
In a landmark ruling, an Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo has sentenced Prince Emmanuel Umoh, a 29-year-old resident pastor of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), to death by hanging for the murder of his landlord, Gabriel Bassey Edward. The judgment, delivered by Justice Gabriel Ette on Thursday, February 19, 2026, marks the culmination of a six-year legal battle that exposed a tragic betrayal of trust rooted in property disputes.
Details of the Crime and Court Proceedings
Evidence presented by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice revealed that Umoh stabbed Edward to death on December 21, 2020, at Ifa Ikot Ubo in Uyo. The court heard that Umoh, the pioneer resident pastor of the Ifa Ikot Ubo–Ifa Ikot Okpon branch, entered Edward's compound on that fateful day. Neighbors later reported hearing loud screams, and Umoh emerged with bloodstains on his white garment, claiming he had fallen while attempting to hang a church banner.
Edward's decomposing body was discovered on December 26, 2020, in his room, wrapped in a mat with multiple lacerations. A butcher's knife was found beside the body, further implicating Umoh in the violent act. The prosecution called six witnesses to testify, establishing that the dispute between the two men involved access to church property stored in Edward's flat, missing items, and tensions over rent payments meant for property repairs.
Background of the Victim and Property Dispute
Gabriel Bassey Edward was a 500-level Civil Engineering student at the University of Uyo who had moved into his late mother's property to secure the estate and live closer to school. Part of the compound, formerly a nursery school established by his mother, had been rented to Living Faith Church for worship at an annual fee of ₦150,000. Court records indicated that Umoh had been given a spare key to Edward's flat to access church property, which later went missing, leading to disputes and the eventual replacement of the flat's locks after Umoh claimed he had lost the key.
In a bittersweet note, Edward's academic result, released posthumously, showed that he graduated with First Class honours, adding a layer of tragedy to the case. The conviction underscores the severe consequences of criminal breaches of trust and highlights the judicial system's role in delivering justice in Akwa Ibom State.
Judge's Ruling and Conclusion of Prosecution
In his ruling, Justice Gabriel Ette held that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, describing the act as a severe betrayal of trust. "Having found you guilty as charged, I hereby sentence you to death by hanging," the judge declared. This conviction concludes nearly six years of legal proceedings led by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, emphasizing the thoroughness of the judicial process in addressing such grave offenses.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for conflict in landlord-tenant relationships and the importance of legal recourse in resolving disputes. It also reflects on the broader societal issues of trust and accountability, particularly in religious and community settings.
