February 21, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel Report
A State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced a church pastor, Emmanuel Umoh, to death by hanging for the murder of a final-year student of University of Uyo.
Delivering judgment that lasted more than two hours, Justice Gabriel Ette ruled that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Umoh, the resident pastor of a branch of Living Faith Church in Ifa Ikot Ubo, stabbed 500-level Civil Engineering student Gabriel Bassey to death on December 21, 2020.
The court heard that the tragic incident occurred in Uyo, where the victim lived in his late mother’s property, which also housed a nursery school she established before her death in 2019.
How The Murder Happened
According to evidence presented in court, Bassey had relocated to the compound to protect the family estate and stay closer to school. A large hall within the premises had been rented to a church for annual rent of N150,000 with the consent of his father, a retired school principal.
Umoh was later posted to the branch as its pioneer resident pastor.
Witnesses testified that on the day of the incident, the pastor was seen entering the compound. Neighbours said they later heard desperate screams of “Jesus” coming from inside. Shortly afterwards, the pastor emerged wearing a white garment stained with blood, claiming he had fallen while hanging a banner.
Five days later, the decomposing body of the student was discovered inside his room, wrapped in a mat and bearing multiple stab wounds. A butcher’s knife was found beside him.
Dispute Before The Killing
The court also heard that tensions had developed between the victim and the pastor before the murder. The pastor had requested to store church items inside the student’s apartment because the church hall lacked doors and windows.
After he was given a spare key, the victim reportedly began noticing that personal belongings of his late mother were missing. When confronted, the pastor allegedly claimed the key had been lost.
The matter was escalated within the church, and the locks were eventually changed. However, disagreements later intensified over rent payments meant for repairs on the property.
Judge Condemns ‘Betrayal Of Trust’
In his ruling, Justice Ette described the crime as shocking and deeply disturbing.
He noted that it was particularly tragic that someone who claimed to be a spiritual leader could commit such an act.
“Life is sacred, and those who represent God should teach that. It is appalling when a man who claims to be a representative of the divine stoops so low as to take another person’s life,” the judge said.
He added that individuals who betray public trust in such a manner pose a grave danger to society.
Final Verdict
Umoh, who was arraigned in December 2021 and pleaded not guilty, was convicted after the prosecution called six witnesses.
“Having found you guilty as charged, I hereby sentence you to death by hanging,” Justice Ette declared.
The judgment has sent shockwaves across Akwa Ibom State, with many residents describing the case as one of the most disturbing crimes involving a religious leader in recent years.
