The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to five men accused of carrying out the 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left more than 40 worshippers dead.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Wednesday, dismissed the bail application on the grounds that the charges were capital in nature and the defendants posed a risk to the trial process.
The judge upheld the Department of State Services’ (DSS) argument that the accused persons could intimidate witnesses, interfere with evidence, or flee if released on bail. He also noted that the defendants failed to provide credible sureties.
“The evidence against the defendants is strong and cannot be glossed over. Granting bail in this case would amount to judicial risk,” Justice Nwite said.
The court further ruled that the bail application was incompetent, pointing out that the motion did not properly list the names of the five defendants and was supported by a joint affidavit instead of separate affidavits, as required by law.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are alleged to be members of the Al-Shabab terrorist group with a cell in Kogi State.
According to the charges, they planned and executed the June 5, 2022 attack on the Owo church using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and firearms, resulting in the deaths of over 40 people and injuries to more than 100 others.
Their counsel, Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim, had argued that they had assembled reliable sureties and should be granted bail. The application, filed on August 11 and argued on August 19, was opposed by DSS counsel, Dr. Callistus Eze.
Eze insisted that the gravity of the offences made the accused persons a flight risk and urged the court to keep them in custody.
Justice Nwite granted an accelerated trial and fixed October 19, 2025, for commencement of proceedings.
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