The Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church Chapel, Ifa Ikot Ubo–Ifa Ikot Okpon Branch, Emmanuel Umoh, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of a 500-level Civil Engineering student of the University of Uyo, Gabriel Bassey, by a State High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Justice Gabriel Ette delivered the judgment after finding Umoh guilty of stabbing Bassey to death on December 21, 2020, at Ifa Ikot Ubo in Uyo Local Government Area.
Bassey, who was also the landlord of the property where the church operated, had relocated to his late mother’s house to safeguard the estate and stay closer to school. His mother, before her death in December 2019, had established a nursery school on the premises.
The court heard that the deceased lived in a two-bedroom flat attached to a long hall within the compound alongside his younger brother. The hall, originally constructed for school purposes, was later rented to Living Faith Church at an annual rent of N150,000 with the consent of his father, Emana Bassey, a retired school principal.
The church reportedly commenced use of the hall before completing payment.Umoh was subsequently posted to the branch as its pioneer resident pastor.
Evidence before the court showed that on December 21, 2020, the defendant was seen entering the deceased’s compound. Neighbours later testified that they heard screams of “Jesus” from within the premises. Shortly afterwards, Umoh emerged wearing a white garment stained with blood, claiming he had fallen while attempting to hang a banner.
On December 26, 2020, his decomposing body was discovered in his room, wrapped in a mat with multiple lacerations. A butcher’s knife was found beside him.
Being the last person seen with the deceased and unable to provide a credible explanation for the bloodstains on his clothing, Umoh was arrested and charged with one count of murder. He was arraigned on December 6, 2021, and pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, the prosecution called six witnesses, including the deceased’s father. Emana Bassey told the court that shortly after the church began operations, the pastor requested permission to store church chairs and other items inside his son’s flat because the hall lacked doors and windows.The request was granted.
However, the arrangement soon became contentious. Whenever the pastor needed access to the items, the deceased—often away—had to return home, incurring transport costs that were not reimbursed.
Following complaints, the father directed his son to give Umoh a spare key. After the key was handed over, personal belongings of the deceased’s late mother, including clothes and household items, allegedly began to go missing. The pastor, who had access to the flat, became a suspect. When confronted, he claimed the key had been lost.
The matter was escalated to the church’s senior pastor, Owoidoho Akpan, who testified for the defence and provided N5,000 to enable the deceased change the locks. According to evidence accepted by the court, no further items went missing after the locks were replaced.
Tensions later escalated over the handling of rent money reportedly paid for the hall and meant for repairs.
In a judgment that lasted over two hours, Justice Ette described the case as deeply disturbing, recounting the late mother’s efforts to develop the property for educational purposes before her death.
The court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“Life is sacred and those who represent God on earth should teach that. It is an irony and quite appalling when a man who claims to be the representative of the divine on earth stoops so low as to denigrate the very essence of his calling and take someone’s life on the premises of the church,” the judge stated.
He added that individuals who betray public trust in such a manner constitute a danger to society and must face the full consequences of the law.
“Having found you guilty as charged, I hereby sentence you to death by hanging,” Justice Ette ruled.
