By Abuja, Nigeria – More than three years after the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, the Federal Government, through the Department of State Services, on Monday, August 11, arraigned five men accused of carrying out the attack. This was conducted before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
On June 5, 2022, gunmen launched an assault on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Ondo State during mass on Sunday, killing more than 40 people. In August 2022, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that five suspected individuals had been arrested. The five suspects are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar. These individuals are to answer for the killings of 40 worshippers and injuries to no fewer than 100 other individuals.
Suspects Plead Not Guilty
The defendants were arraigned on a nine-count terrorism charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, filed by the Department of State Services, concerning membership of the Al Shabaab terrorist group and carrying out the deadly attack in furtherance of their religious ideology. The defendants were accused of operating a terrorist cell in Kogi State, violating Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. They allegedly held meetings on 30 May, 3 June, and 4 June 2022, at Government Secondary School in Adavi LGA and behind Omialafa Central Mosque in Ondo State, where they planned a terrorist attack. This attack occurred on 5 June 2022 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
On June 5, 2022, they reportedly detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), resulting in the deaths of over 40 individuals, including Ajanaku John, Onuoha Deborah, Onileke Esther, and John Bosede. Additionally, they allegedly attacked worshippers at the church while armed with IEDs and AK-47 rifles, causing grievous bodily harm to more than 100 people, including Onileke Ayodele, John Blessing, Nselu Esther, and Ogungbade Peter. These actions are said to contravene Sections 12(a) and 42(a)(ii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other charges.
The defendants all promptly pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. Following their not guilty plea, prosecuting lawyer Calistus Eze urged the court to order that they be remanded in custody. Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody and adjourned the case until August 19 for the commencement of trial.
