Akwa Ibom Pastor Sentenced to Death for Murder of University of Uyo Student!
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Akwa Ibom Pastor Sentenced to Death for Murder of University of Uyo Student!
Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (Journalist) | Sele Media Africa
In a landmark ruling, a High Court in Akwa Ibom State has sentenced Prince Emmanuel Umoh, a resident pastor of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), to death by hanging for the murder of Gabriel Bassey Edward, a final‑year Civil Engineering student at the University of Uyo. The judgment brings closure to nearly six years of legal proceedings in this high-profile case.
The court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Ette, delivered the verdict on Thursday, 19 February 2026, following a meticulous prosecution by the State Ministry of Justice. Evidence presented in court established that Umoh stabbed Edward to death on 21 December 2020 at the deceased’s family property in Ifa Ikot Ubo‑Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo.
Edward, who also served as Umoh’s landlord, had relocated to his late mother’s estate to safeguard the family property while continuing his studies. A portion of the compound, previously used as a nursery school, was rented to the church for worship at an annual fee of ₦150,000, with the consent of Edward’s father.
Court Proceedings and Evidence
Prosecution witnesses testified that neighbours heard Edward’s screams shortly before Umoh exited the property in a bloodstained white garment, claiming he had fallen while hanging a banner. The victim’s body was later discovered five days after the incident, wrapped in a mat with multiple stab wounds and a butcher’s knife found nearby.
The defence maintained Umoh’s innocence throughout the trial. However, testimonies from six prosecution witnesses, including Edward’s father and senior church leaders combined with material evidence , convinced the court that the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Justice Ette highlighted the betrayal of trust, emphasizing the irony of a religious leader committing such a violent act within church premises. “Life is sacred,” he said, stressing that spiritual leaders must embody the values they preach.
Edward’s academic records, released posthumously, revealed he had graduated with first-class honours, amplifying public grief and drawing national attention to the case.
This sentence underscores Nigeria’s judicial commitment to addressing violent crime, particularly when perpetrators hold positions of authority in society, and reignites important conversations about accountability and ethical leadership within religious institutions.
Sources: Premium Times, PUNCH, TheCable, QED.NG, The Eagle Online, BusinessDay NG.
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