A High Court of Akwa Ibom State sitting in Uyo has sentenced Prince Emmanuel Umoh, a resident pastor of Living Faith Church, to death by hanging for the murder of his landlord, Gabriel Bassey Edward.
Justice Gabriel Ette delivered the judgment on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after finding the defendant guilty of stabbing Edward to death on December 21, 2020.
The court convicted Umoh, aged 29, of culpable homicide after finding the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The charge related to Edward’s death at his late mother’s property in Ifa Ikot Ubo–Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Edward, then a 500‑level Civil Engineering student at the University of Uyo, had relocated to his late mother’s property to safeguard the estate and stay closer to school.
Evidence presented to the court showed that part of the compound was rented to the church for worship activities.
Court records show that neighbours reported hearing loud screams from within the property on the day of the incident.
After entering the compound, the defendant later emerged wearing a garment stained with blood.
Edward was not seen alive again. His body was discovered on December 26, 2020, wrapped in a mat with multiple lacerations. A butcher’s knife was found beside the body.
Evidence at trial included testimony about a spare key given to the defendant to access church property stored in the deceased’s flat.
Disputes over missing items and rent payments arising from the arrangement were also presented to the court.
The defendant pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on December 6, 2021, on a one‑count charge of murder.
In his judgment, Justice Ette described the act as a grave betrayal of trust by a religious leader.
The judge noted that those who represent religious institutions bear a responsibility to uphold life and that the offence, committed within church premises, warranted the severest penalty under Nigerian law. The court then sentenced Umoh to death by hanging.
Court proceedings noted that posthumous results released after Edward’s death showed he graduated with First Class honours.
