Judgment Day for Owo Church Attack Suspects: What Outcome Awaits?
The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to deliver judgment today in the terrorism trial linked to the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, amid heightened security around the court premises.
Five defendants Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar are facing trial over their alleged roles in the June 5, 2022 church attack that claimed dozens of lives and left more than 100 worshippers injured.
The defendants were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on a nine-count terrorism charge. Prosecutors alleged that the suspects belonged to foreign-linked terrorist groups and participated in planning and executing the attack on the Catholic church during a Sunday service.
Justice Emeka Nwite is expected to deliver the verdict after concluding hearings in which the DSS presented nine witnesses. The accused persons denied all allegations and testified in their own defence without calling additional witnesses.
Security has been significantly reinforced at the Federal High Court, with personnel from the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) deployed to maintain order. Access to the court complex has been restricted, with visitors subjected to strict security screening.
According to court filings, the defendants allegedly attended planning meetings in Kogi and Ondo states between May and June 2022 and were linked to a terrorist cell reportedly associated with the Al Shabab network.
The prosecution further alleged that the suspects carried out the attack using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and AK-47 rifles, resulting in the deaths of more than 40 worshippers and severe injuries to over 100 others.
The DSS also accused the defendants of detonating explosives with the intent to cause death and grievous bodily harm. If convicted, they could face penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death sentence under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The judgment is expected to bring a major legal milestone in one of Nigeria’s most devastating terror attacks in recent years.
