A state high court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, has sentenced EmmanuelUmoh, a resident pastor of Living Faith Church, Ifa Ikot Ubo-Ifa Ikot Okpon, todeath by hanging for killing his landlord, Gabriel Edward. According to Premium Times, Gabriel Ette, the trial judge,on Thursday, convicted and sentenced 29-year-old Umoh to death for the murderof 23-year-old Edward. Ette held that prosecution had proved its murder case beyonda reasonable doubt. The judge wondered why a man of faith could kill in a placemeant for worship, adding that the cleric did not stop the attack despite theshout of “Jesus” from the deceased. THE CASEIn December 2020, Edward, who was a final-year student ofcivil engineering at the University of Uyo at that time, was murdered at hislate mother’s property. He later graduated with a first class degree when theresults were released. The deceased had moved to stay in his mother’s property tosafeguard the estate. The deceased’s mother built a hall inside the compound tocommence a nursery school before her death. The hall was later rented to the church at an annual rent ofN150,000. The deceased was staying in a two-bedroom flat with hisyounger brother inside the compound. Umoh was later posted to the church aspioneer resident pastor. After some time, Umoh and the deceased started having adispute over rent money meant for repairs. Witnesses told the court that the pastor entered thecompound on December 21, 2020 — the day of the murder. After some minutes, neighbours heard the loud screams of“Jesus” from inside the compound. The pastor was said to have emerged wearing a white garmentstained with blood, claiming he had fallen while hanging a banner. On December 26, 2020, the decomposing body of the deceasedwas discovered in his room, wrapped in a mat with deep cuts. A butcher’s knifewas found beside the body.
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