A High Court in Akwa Ibom State has sentenced Prince Emmanuel Umoh, a pastor of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), to death by hanging for the murder of Gabriel Bassey Edward, a final-year Engineering student at the University of Uyo.
The court, presided over by Hon. Justice Gabriel Nkanang, delivered the judgment on Thursday, February 19, 2026, almost six years after the gruesome killing.
According to court records, Umoh murdered Edward in December 2020 at his residence in Ifa Ikot Ubo-Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo.
The 23-year-old student, who posthumously graduated with a First-Class degree, had rented part of his home to the accused to use as a church parish.
Eyewitnesses told the court that they heard Edward’s screams on the fateful day, while neighbours saw Umoh carrying buckets stained with blood.
When confronted, Umoh allegedly claimed the cries were due to “prayers.” A police search of the pastor’s residence later recovered some of the victim’s belongings.
Reacting to the verdict, human rights lawyer Inihebe Effiong commended the prosecution, led by Ms. Iniobong Essang of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, for her diligence in securing justice.
Effiong also urged churches to conduct thorough background checks on individuals before ordaining them as ministers.
“I have received comforting news from the family of my late friend, Gabriel Edward, who was mercilessly murdered by his tenant, a self-proclaimed pastor,” Effiong said.
“Gabriel was a brilliant, outspoken young man whose only crime was offering part of his home to the accused. Today, justice has been served.”
The family of the late student, including his father, Emana Edward, and brother, Emmanuel Bassey Edward, expressed relief and gratitude to the court for delivering a fair judgment.
This verdict marks a significant moment in Akwa Ibom’s judicial history, emphasizing the legal system’s stance against violent crimes, even when committed by persons of religious authority.
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