An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a 29-year-old resident pastor of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, to death by hanging for the murder of his landlord, Gabriel Bassey Edward.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Justice Gabriel Ette found Prince Emmanuel Umoh, pioneer resident pastor of the Ifa Ikot Ubo–Ifa Ikot Okpon branch, guilty of stabbing Edward to death on December 21, 2020, at Ifa Ikot Ubo in Uyo.

According to reports, the deceased, a 500-level Civil Engineering student of the University of Uyo, had relocated to his late mother’s property in the area to secure the estate and live closer to school. Part of the compound, originally used as a nursery school established by his late mother, was rented to the church for worship at an annual fee of N150,000.

Evidence before the court showed that the defendant was seen entering the compound on December 21, 2020, while neighbours later reported hearing loud screams from the premises. The court heard that Umoh later emerged with bloodstains on his white garment, claiming he had fallen while attempting to hang a banner in the church.

Edward was not seen alive again. His decomposing body was discovered in his room on December 26, 2020, wrapped in a mat with multiple lacerations, and a butcher’s knife was found beside the body.

The prosecution told the court that the defendant had earlier been given a spare key to the deceased’s flat to enable him access church property stored there. Items were later reported missing from the apartment, leading to disputes between the deceased and the defendant, and the locks were eventually changed after the defendant claimed he had lost the key.

Tensions also arose over rent payments allegedly meant for repairs on the property.

Umoh was arraigned on December 6, 2021, on a one-count charge of murder and pleaded not guilty. The prosecution called six witnesses to establish its case.

In his judgment, Justice Ette held that the prosecution proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt and described the act as a grave betrayal of trust.

“Having found you guilty as charged, I hereby sentence you to death by hanging,” the judge declared.

The conviction brings to an end nearly six years of prosecution by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice. The deceased’s academic result, released after his death, showed that he graduated with First Class honours. The (Guardian)

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