Pastor to die by hanging over landlord’s killing

The Resident Pastor of a branch of the Living Faith Church, Emmanuel Umoh, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his landlord, Gabriel Bassey, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Gabriel Ette of the state High Court, who found the pastor guilty of killing the 500-level Civil Engineering student of the University of Uyo on December 21, 2020, at Ifa Ikot Ubo in Uyo Local Government Area.

Court proceedings revealed that the deceased had moved into his late mother’s property to safeguard the estate and stay closer to school. His mother had earlier established a nursery school on the premises, with a hall later rented to the church for N150,000 yearly. Umoh was subsequently posted to the branch as its pioneer resident pastor.

Evidence showed that on the day of the incident, the pastor was seen entering the compound, after which neighbours reportedly heard screams from inside. He later emerged in a white garment stained with blood, claiming he had fallen while hanging a banner. The victim was not seen alive afterwards.

Five days later, the decomposing body was discovered in the room, wrapped in a mat with multiple stab wounds, while a butcher’s knife was found nearby. Investigators arrested the pastor, who was the last person seen with the victim and could not explain the bloodstains.

During trial, prosecutors called six witnesses, including the victim’s father, who testified about earlier disputes between the pastor and the deceased over access to the flat, missing household items, and disagreements surrounding rent money meant for repairs.

The court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Justice Ette described the killing as disturbing, noting the contradiction of a religious leader committing murder within church premises and stressing that life is sacred.

Declaring the convict guilty, the judge ruled that anyone who betrays public trust in such a manner poses a danger to society and must face the full weight of the law. He consequently sentenced Umoh to death by hanging.