The Federal Government is set to arraign five men accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where scores of worshippers were killed.
The suspects — Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were brought into the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday under heavy security provided by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the charge filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the men face nine counts bordering on terrorism. They are accused of being members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, operating a cell in Kogi State, and holding planning meetings in Kogi and Ondo in the days leading up to the church attack.
The Federal Government alleges the suspects conspired and executed the assault in violation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite were still pending at the time of this report.
