The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a bail application filed by five men accused of carrying out the Owo Catholic Church massacre that left more than 40 worshippers dead.
Justice Emeka Nwite, ruling on Wednesday, held that the charges were capital offences and that the evidence presented by the Department of State Services (DSS) was too weighty to be ignored.
He ruled that granting bail would pose a judicial risk as the accused were members of a violent terrorist group who could intimidate witnesses and obstruct justice.
The judge also faulted the bail motion for procedural defects.
He noted that the names of the defendants were not properly listed and that a joint affidavit was filed instead of separate affidavits for each accused person.
He concluded that the suspects had failed to present credible sureties or cogent reasons for release and ordered that they remain in custody.
The five accused, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, are alleged to be members of Al-Shabab with a terror cell in Kogi State. Prosecutors allege they planned and executed the 5 June 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, using improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles, killing over 40 and injuring more than 100.
Justice Nwite granted accelerated hearing and fixed 19 October for the start of trial.
The DSS told the court the men pose a flight risk and that their crimes carry the weight of terrorism laws under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Defence lawyers had argued the men assembled reliable sureties to stand for them, but their submissions were rejected in full.
The ruling ensures the suspects will remain in custody as one of Nigeria’s deadliest church attacks in recent history proceeds to trial.
