An Abuja Federal High Court on Wednesday refused bail to five men accused of belonging to the Al-Shabab terrorist group and carrying out the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which killed more than 40 worshippers.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the terrorism charges were capital offences and that the defendants posed risks to witnesses and the trial’s integrity. He upheld the Department of State Services’ (DSS) argument that the evidence against them was strong and that they could abscond if released.
The judge also faulted procedural defects in the bail request, including the failure to list the defendants’ names on the motion paper and the use of a joint affidavit instead of individual affidavits as required by law.
Granting an accelerated hearing, the court fixed October 19, 2025, for the trial of the accused: Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
They face charges of joining Al-Shabab in Kogi State in 2021 and conspiring to execute the Owo church massacre, offences under Sections 12(a) and 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
