The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that five men accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding as a vacation judge, issued the order on Monday after the defendants — Idris Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; Abdulhaleem Idris, 25; and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47 — pleaded not guilty to nine terrorism-related charges filed by the Federal Government.
The attack, which shocked the nation, left over 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 injured. Prosecutors allege the accused were members of the Al Shabab terrorist group and had been operating from Kogi State since 2021.
They are accused of holding planning meetings in late May and early June 2022 before detonating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and shooting at congregants during the church service.
The charges, filed on July 23 by the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar, detail offences including terrorist membership, conspiracy, murder, and causing grievous bodily harm — all punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At the arraignment, prosecuting counsel Calistus Eze secured permission to proceed during the court’s vacation. After the plea, he requested a trial date and for the suspects to remain in DSS custody.
Defence lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad did not object to the remand but urged the court to grant his clients access to their families and legal team, noting they had been held without contact since 2022.
Eze assured that such access would be granted upon formal request, adding that the defendants would be provided facilities to prepare their defence.
Justice Nwite adjourned the case to August 19 for trial commencement, ordering the DSS to continue holding the suspects pending proceedings.
