metro

Court Sentences Church Usher to Death for Murdering Girlfriend Over Mobile Phone

Published

5 months ago

May 23, 2026

Court Sentences Church Usher to Death for Murdering Girlfriend Over Mobile Phone

It was judgement day for a church usher in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as Justice Ekpo Ntekim of the Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo convicted and sentenced 33-year-old Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson to death by hanging or lethal injection for the murder of his girlfriend, Emem Monday Effanga. Nelson, who served as an usher in one of the new-generation churches in Uyo, was found guilty on a two-count charge of murder and stealing. The judge ruled that the punishment for stealing was subsumed under the sentence for murder. According to the court, the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, leaving the judge with no discretion but to impose the maximum penalty prescribed by law for the offence of murder.

The tragic incident occurred at about 7:00 a.m. on February 6, 2025, which happened to be the convict’s birthday. Nelson reportedly left his residence on Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, and visited the deceased at her home located at No. 102 Aka Road, opposite NEPA Line, Uyo. He had allegedly gone to use her mobile phone to upload his birthday photographs on social media. However, what began as a simple request quickly escalated into a deadly altercation. An argument reportedly ensued between the two over the phone, leading to a physical struggle. During the altercation, Nelson slammed the victim’s head against the wall and then strangled her to death in a fit of rage. The victim, a young woman with her entire future ahead of her, lost her life in the most brutal manner imaginable over a dispute that should have been resolved with words rather than violence.

After committing the heinous crime, Nelson did not flee immediately in panic. Instead, he carefully arranged the corpse of his lover on her bed, positioning her body as if she were simply sleeping. He then fled from the scene with her new Android phone, leaving behind a scene of death and betrayal. The callous and calculated nature of the act—killing a loved one on his own birthday over a mobile phone—sent shockwaves through the community and left family members and neighbours in disbelief that a church usher, a person entrusted with maintaining order in the house of God, could commit such an atrocity. However, justice would catch up with the church usher just two days later, proving that no amount of religious piety can shield a murderer from the long arm of the law.

READ ALSO:

Nelson’s luck ran out on February 8, 2025. He was tracked to his church located along Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo, while attending a tarry night vigil (a night programme) at about 2:00 a.m. Security operatives apprehended him in the house of God, where he had sought refuge after committing the crime, perhaps believing that being in a sacred space would protect him from arrest. The irony was not lost on observers—a church usher, a man who helped maintain order during worship services, was found hiding in a church after taking the life of his own girlfriend. During police interrogation following his arrest, Nelson reportedly confessed to the crime, admitting that he had killed Effanga in a struggle over the mobile phone and that he had taken her phone before fleeing the scene.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ekpo Ntekim found the defendant guilty on the two-count charge and sentenced him to death. The judge noted that Nelson was represented pro bono by a legal luminary from Lagos, meaning the convict received free legal representation from a high-profile lawyer. The punishment for murder under Nigerian law carries no option—death by hanging or lethal injection is mandatory upon conviction for murder. “The punishment for stealing is subsumed under the sentence for murder,” Justice Ntekim held, meaning that the court saw no need to impose a separate penalty for the theft charge as the death sentence already addressed the gravity of the convict’s actions. The judge emphasized that the prosecution had successfully established all the ingredients of murder, including the intent to cause death or grievous bodily harm, and that the circumstances of the killing were particularly callous and unjustifiable.

This case is among several recent high-profile murder convictions in Akwa Ibom State and across Nigeria. In a similar ruling on February 20, 2026, the Akwa Ibom State High Court 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. The court heard that the pastor stabbed the deceased, a 500-level Civil Engineering student who posthumously graduated with First Class honours from the University of Uyo. Justice Gabriel Ette, in delivering that verdict, described the irony of “a man who claims to be the representative of the divine on earth stooping so low as to denigrate the very essence of his calling and take someone’s life in the premises of the church.” The pastor had reportedly attacked his landlord during a dispute over unpaid rent and other issues.

READ ALSO:

Additionally, a High Court sitting in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, sentenced 27-year-old Edinyanga Samuel Akpan to death by hanging for stabbing his uncle to death over witchcraft allegations in a case that spanned nearly nine years. Justice Pius Idiong ruled that the killing was intentional and unlawful, noting that murder remains a capital offence under Nigerian law, leaving the court with no discretion but to impose the prescribed sentence. The court rejected the defendant’s claims that he acted in self-defence, finding that the evidence clearly showed he was the aggressor in the fatal encounter.

In another widely reported case that gained national attention, Uduak Akpan was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Akwa Ibom job seeker, Iniobong Umoren. Umoren, a young graduate, had gone for a job interview that turned out to be a trap. Her death sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria and led to calls for justice for victims of gender-based violence. However, there was confusion in the court as the convict attempted to escape shortly after the sentence was announced, requiring police intervention to foil the attempted escape. The case remains one of the most high-profile murder convictions in the state’s recent history.

The sentencing of the church usher in Uyo has drawn reactions from legal observers and the public, with many commending the court for its decisive action. Human rights lawyer Inihebe Effiong, commenting on similar extrajudicial killing cases, has previously called for diligent prosecution of murder suspects “not by the police, but by the Nigerian state or the attorney general… in accordance with the law.” The ruling sends a strong and unambiguous message that domestic violence and murder, regardless of the perpetrator’s standing, religious affiliation, or personal relationship with the victim, will attract the full weight of the law, including the ultimate penalty of death. As Justice Ntekim’s ruling echoes in the corridors of justice, the family of Emem Monday Effanga may find some solace knowing that her killer has been brought to account. The convict, Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson, now awaits the appeals process, as death sentences in Nigeria are automatically subject to review by higher courts, including the Court of Appeal and potentially the Supreme Court.

Court Sentences Church Usher to Death for Murdering Girlfriend Over Mobile Phone

Related Topics:Church Usher death girlfriend

Up Next

Teacher, Church Choir Master Arrested for Murder of 16-Year-Old WAEC Candidate

Don't Miss

Troops Sustain Rescue Operations for Ngoshe Abductees, Kill Several Terrorists

metro

Former NADECO Leader Ralph Obioha Dies At 80

Published

2 hours ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Former NADECO Leader Ralph Obioha Dies At 80

Chief Ralph Obioha, a prominent pro-democracy activist, businessman, politician and former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has died at the age of 80.

Obioha died on Saturday, October 3, 2026, his family announced in a statement signed by his son, Chima Obioha, in Enugu.

The family did not disclose the cause of death but described the late elder statesman as a beloved father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend whose life was marked by service, generosity and commitment to Nigeria.

Obioha was one of the prominent figures in Nigeria’s June 12 pro-democracy struggle following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

As a leading member of NADECO, he was involved in efforts to restore the June 12 mandate and end military rule. During the turbulent years of the 1990s, he operated from Canada and the United States as part of the external pro-democracy movement.

Beyond his activism, Obioha served as a member of the House of Representatives during the Second Republic, between 1979 and 1983.

He later founded the Justice Party, which fielded Reverend Chris Okotie as its presidential candidate in the 2003 election. He was also involved in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and served as chairman of its caretaker committee.

Obioha, who was the traditional ruler known as Okpuruisizuruoha II of Arondizuogu, was also active in Nigeria’s business and socio-economic sectors.

READ ALSO:

In June 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu included Obioha among Nigerians selected for national honours in recognition of their roles in the struggle for democracy and the actualisation of the June 12 mandate.

However, Obioha subsequently declined the honour, citing concerns over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu and the security situation in the country.

In January 2026, Obioha also spoke publicly about the controversy surrounding the 1966 military coup, rejecting the description of the event as an “Igbo coup.”

The Obioha family said the late elder statesman’s life was defined by his belief in Nigeria’s potential and his commitment to service, leadership and nation-building.

“His passing has left an immeasurable void in our family, but we find comfort in the fullness of his life, the people he touched, and the legacy of service he leaves behind,” the family said.

The family thanked Nigerians for their condolences and prayers and requested privacy as it mourns the former NADECO leader.

Details of his funeral and memorial arrangements are expected to be announced later.

Former NADECO Leader Ralph Obioha Dies At 80

metro

Imo NYSC Abduction: CUPP Faults Security Strategy, INC Seeks Vigilantes’ Role In Rescue

Published

3 hours ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Imo NYSC Abduction: CUPP Faults Security Strategy, INC Seeks Vigilantes’ Role In Rescue

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has criticised Nigeria’s security strategy following the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State, while the Igbo National Council (INC) has called for the involvement of credible community vigilantes in the ongoing rescue operation.

The prospective corps members were abducted along the Owerri–Onitsha Road near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.

CUPP described the incident as a serious failure of the country’s security architecture and demanded the immediate and safe rescue of those still in captivity.

The coalition said the attack raised questions about intelligence gathering, highway surveillance, security patrols and rapid response, particularly because the victims were travelling along a major highway.

CUPP spokesperson Agu Diamond Bryan said the victims were graduates travelling to fulfil a national obligation and should not have been exposed to such danger.

The coalition called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security chiefs to take direct operational responsibility for the rescue operation, while urging the Police, Army, Air Force, Department of State Services and Defence Intelligence Agency to deploy their intelligence and operational capabilities.

READ ALSO:

It also demanded regular and credible updates for the victims’ families, an investigation into how the abduction occurred, and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The development comes as security agencies continue efforts to locate the abducted prospective corps members.

Imo State Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso said security operatives had used drone surveillance to identify the location of the suspected kidnappers’ camp in the forest.

However, the police have not moved directly into the camp because intelligence indicates that the area has been mined with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Bosso said security agencies were preparing to use heavy equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, to support the operation and minimise the risk to both the security personnel and the victims.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, was deployed to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation after Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu ordered additional operational assets and tactical teams into the state.

The police have maintained that their priority is to secure the victims’ safe release.

However, there have been conflicting accounts concerning the number of people abducted and the status of some of those reportedly rescued.

CUPP said 10 victims had reportedly been rescued while 20 prospective corps members remained in captivity. Earlier police accounts had also referred to the rescue of 10 people, while reports from families and other sources have disputed aspects of the account.

The conflicting figures have made it difficult to establish publicly the exact number of people still being held.

Adding its voice to calls for an immediate rescue, the Igbo National Council (INC) urged security agencies to incorporate properly vetted community vigilantes with detailed knowledge of the surrounding forests, roads, settlements and difficult terrain.

INC President Chilos Godsent said conventional security forces could benefit from local intelligence provided by community-based security personnel, particularly in areas where unfamiliar terrain could slow down rescue operations.

The group stressed that any involvement of vigilantes should be properly coordinated under the command of conventional security agencies to ensure discipline, accountability and operational safety.

INC also called for the involvement of traditional rulers, community leaders and other credible local structures in gathering information that could assist the rescue effort.

The group urged residents with useful information about the kidnappers or their movements to pass it promptly to the security authorities.

The abduction has also generated concern among families of the affected graduates, some of whom have reportedly received ransom demands from the kidnappers.

One reported demand initially put the ransom at N50 million per victim, although subsequent reports indicated that the kidnappers had reduced the demand.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed the ransom figures or indicated whether any payment has been made.

The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of prospective NYSC members travelling to orientation camps, particularly those making long-distance journeys through areas considered vulnerable to kidnapping.

For now, security agencies are continuing their search operation, with the location of the suspected camp reportedly known but access complicated by the reported presence of explosives.

The immediate priority remains the safe rescue of all those still in captivity, while authorities face growing pressure to explain how the abduction occurred and strengthen security along the Owerri–Onitsha corridor.

Imo NYSC Abduction: CUPP Faults Security Strategy, INC Seeks Vigilantes’ Role In Rescue

metro

Three Dead, Eight Injured As Gunmen Strike Plateau Communities

Published

3 hours ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang

Three Dead, Eight Injured As Gunmen Strike Plateau Communities

At least three people have been killed and eight others injured in fresh attacks in Plateau State, with gunmen separately targeting local vigilantes and traders in Bokkos and Jos South Local Government Areas.

The attacks occurred on Sunday as renewed violence heightened security concerns in parts of the state.

In the first incident, two members of a local neighbourhood watch group were killed when gunmen attacked their duty post at Angwan Tsarki in Mangor, Bokkos Local Government Area, at about 11pm.

Three other vigilantes sustained gunshot injuries in the attack.

Residents said the gunmen opened fire on the vigilantes while they were on duty before fleeing the area.

Security sources said troops responding to the incident found two bodies at the scene and evacuated the injured victims to a hospital in Bokkos. A manhunt for the attackers has since been launched.

The second attack occurred later on Sunday along the Bukuru Expressway in Jos South, where gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying traders returning from the Kara Livestock Market in Bukuru.

The attack was initially reported to have left one person dead and seven injured. The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the shooting and said the injured victims were receiving treatment at the Military Clinic in Rukuba Barracks.

READ ALSO:

However, subsequent reports put the toll from the attack at two dead and eight injured, with the victims identified as traders returning from the market.

The Plateau State Government condemned the attack and ordered security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Police Commissioner Ayodeji Faniyan also directed the command’s Department of Investigations to take full charge of the probe into the Bukuru shooting.

The police said tactical and anti-robbery teams had been deployed to strengthen security around the area, while intelligence gathering had been intensified.

The latest Plateau attacks come amid continuing concerns over armed attacks in several communities across the state.

Security agencies have repeatedly called on residents to remain vigilant and provide information on suspicious movements as efforts continue to prevent further attacks.

The authorities have yet to establish whether the two incidents were connected or identify the perpetrators.

The investigations and manhunt for those responsible are ongoing.