The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that five men accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Monday following the arraignment of the suspects — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — who all pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by the Federal Government.
The gruesome attack left about 22 worshippers dead and over 100 injured, sparking nationwide outrage and condemnation.
At the hearing, prosecution counsel Mr. Calistus Eze informed the court that the case had been scheduled for arraignment and moved a summons ex-parte filed on July 28 to allow the charge to be taken during the court’s vacation. The judge granted the request.
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After the charges were read, the prosecution sought a trial date and urged the court to keep the suspects in DSS custody — a request not opposed by defence counsel Mr. Abdullahi Muhammad. However, Muhammad appealed for the court to allow the accused access to their families and lawyers, citing their prolonged detention since 2022.
Eze responded that access would be granted upon a written request specifying the date and time, assuring that the defendants would have adequate time and facilities to prepare their defence.
Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to August 19, 2025, ordering that the suspects remain in DSS custody.
According to the charges, the defendants and others at large allegedly became members of the Al Shabab terrorist group in 2021 and operated a cell in Kogi State. They are accused of planning and executing the Owo church massacre after a series of meetings in Kogi and Ondo states between May 30 and June 4, 2022.
Prosecutors allege the attackers detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and opened fire on worshippers during the Sunday service, killing more than 40 people — including Ajanaku John, Onuoha Deborah, Onileke Esther, and John Bosede — and inflicting grievous injuries on over 100 others.
The offences are punishable under several provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.