A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail to five men accused of the 2022 Owo Catholic Church massacre, citing terrorism charges and security risks.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to five men standing trial for their alleged involvement in the horrific June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left dozens of worshippers dead and many others severely injured.
Delivering ruling on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the bail application, describing the charges against the defendants as grave, capital in nature, and tied to terrorism.
He emphasized that releasing the suspects on bail would pose serious security risks and undermine the course of justice.
In his judgment, Justice Nwite aligned with arguments advanced by the Department of State Services (DSS), which is prosecuting the case.
The DSS, through its counsel, Dr. Callistus Eze, had urged the court to reject the bail request, stressing that the defendants were linked to a notorious terrorist network and could abscond if released.
The judge agreed, holding that the prosecution had presented strong evidence that could not be ignored.
He further ruled that the defendants failed to prove that they had credible sureties capable of guaranteeing their appearance in court.
According to the court, admitting the defendants to bail would amount to taking an unnecessary judicial risk, as they could intimidate witnesses, tamper with evidence, or jeopardize the trial.
“The submissions of the prosecution that the defendants may jump bail and compromise proceedings were not disputed by the defence, and are therefore deemed admitted,” Justice Nwite held.
Before even considering the substantive arguments, the judge declared the bail motion incompetent on procedural grounds.
He noted that the motion paper did not properly list the names of the five defendants, contrary to the requirements of law.
In addition, the affidavit supporting the application contained only two paragraphs jointly covering all five accused persons, instead of each defendant filing a separate affidavit.
Justice Nwite ruled that such an approach rendered the application fundamentally defective.
The bail request, dated August 11 and argued on August 19, was filed by defence counsel Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim.
He had submitted that the accused persons had provided responsible sureties and should be granted bail pending trial.
However, the DSS insisted that the suspects could flee due to the severity of the charges, which involve terrorism and mass murder.
Counsel for the DSS, Dr. Eze, told the court that allowing the suspects to go home would compromise national security and public confidence in the judicial system.
Justice Nwite upheld the DSS’s position and dismissed the application.
He thereafter granted an accelerated trial and fixed October 19 for the commencement of full proceedings.
The five suspects currently in custody are: Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
One of the charges in the amended charge sheet reads: “That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, sometime in 2021, did join and became members of AL Shabab Terrorist Group, with cell in Kogi State, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
The Owo church massacre shocked Nigeria and drew widespread condemnation both nationally and internationally.
On June 5, 2022, heavily armed gunmen stormed St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church during a Sunday service, detonating explosives and opening fire on worshippers.
The attack left at least 40 people dead and over 70 others injured, including women and children.
The incident was described as one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history.
It sparked outrage, with calls for improved intelligence gathering and stronger counter-terrorism measures.
Security agencies later linked the attack to terrorist groups with cells operating in Kogi and Ondo States, leading to a series of arrests, including the five defendants now facing trial.
The refusal of bail affirms the seriousness with which the judiciary is treating cases of terrorism and mass violence.
Legal experts note that the ruling reflects a cautious approach to national security, ensuring that suspects accused of heinous crimes remain in custody until their trial is concluded.
For the families of victims, the decision represents a step forward in the long search for justice, even as the trial itself is expected to be closely followed by Nigerians and the international community.
With the case now slated for accelerated trial beginning October 19, both prosecution and defence are expected to prepare for intense legal battles over admissible evidence, witness testimonies, and the strength of the charges.
The outcome of the trial will not only determine the fate of the accused persons but will also send a strong signal about Nigeria’s judicial resolve in tackling terrorism and protecting citizens.