Court rejects bail plea of five accused in Owo church attack

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday rejected a bail application filed by five men accused of carrying out the June 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where more than 40 worshippers were killed.

Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the charges against the defendants were capital in nature and that granting them bail would pose a “judicial risk.” He said the prosecution had presented strong evidence, adding that the accused could intimidate witnesses, interfere with the case, or abscond if released.

The court upheld arguments by the Department of State Services (DSS) that the defendants had not provided credible sureties to guarantee their appearance during trial.

The judge also agreed that the defence failed to dispute claims that the suspects might jump bail.

Justice Nwite further declared the bail motion incompetent, noting that it did not properly list the names of the defendants and was supported by a single joint affidavit rather than separate affidavits for each accused person, as required by law.

The defendants—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—are facing terrorism charges for allegedly being members of Al-Shabab, with operations linked to Kogi and Ondo States.

They are accused of plotting and executing the Owo church attack, along with other violent acts, in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The court granted an accelerated hearing and fixed October 19 for commencement of trial.