The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of five men accused of carrying out the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left more than 40 people dead and over 100 injured.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Monday after the suspects—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 charges, brought on 23 July by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, allege that the defendants were members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, operated a cell in Kogi State, and planned the Owo church attack during meetings held in Kogi and Ondo between 30 May and 4 June 2022.
Prosecutors say the defendants detonated improvised explosive devices and used AK-47 rifles during the 5 June assault, killing worshippers including Ajanaku John, Onuoha Deborah, Onileke Esther and John Bosede, and injuring more than 100 others. The alleged offences fall under various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At the arraignment, prosecution lawyer Calistus Eze told the court the charges were filed during the judicial vacation and sought permission to proceed.
“The summon ex-parte was dated and filed on July 28 and we pray the court for an order allowing the charge to be taken within the vacation period,” he said. Justice Nwite granted the request and the charges were read in court.
Mr Eze also requested that the defendants remain in State Security Service custody until trial. Defence lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad did not object but asked the court to allow access to their relatives and legal representatives.
“The defendants have been in custody since 2022 and we have not had access to them,” he told the court.
In response, Mr Eze said that access is permitted when a formal letter is submitted specifying date and time.
He added that the defendants would have the facilities needed to prepare their defence now that the trial process had begun.
The court adjourned the matter until 19 August for the start of trial and ordered that the accused remain in SSS custody until then.
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