A Living Faith Church pastor, Prince Emmanuel Umoh, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Akwa Ibom High Court for murdering his landlord, Gabriel Bassey Edward, in Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo has sentenced Prince Emmanuel Umoh, a 29-year-old Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), to death by hanging for the murder of his landlord, Gabriel Bassey Edward.

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Edward, a 500-level Civil Engineering student at the University of Uyo, was found dead on December 26, 2020, in his flat within the church premises, with multiple lacerations and a butcher’s knife nearby.

Evidence presented in court revealed that tensions arose between the deceased and the pastor over the use of church property and rent payments.

The court found that Umoh, who had access to Edward’s flat, was responsible for the murder.

Justice Gabriel Ette condemned the act, describing it as a betrayal of trust by a religious leader. “Life is sacred and those who represent God on earth should teach that.

It is quite appalling when a man who claims to be the representative of the divine stoops so low as to denigrate the very essence of his calling and take someone’s life,” he stated.

The court concluded that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and handed down the death sentence.

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This ruling serves as a stern reminder that even religious leaders are not above the law and will face the full weight of justice for criminal acts.