A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to five men accused of carrying out the June 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 worshippers dead and many others injured.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are facing charges brought against them by the Federal Government under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At their arraignment on August 11, 2025, they pleaded not guilty to the allegations of belonging to the terrorist group Al-Shabab and participating in multiple attacks, including the Owo massacre.
Bail Application Denied
Delivering ruling on their bail application on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the request, describing it as lacking in merit.
The judge held that the charges against the accused persons are capital in nature, and granting them bail would pose a risk to public safety and the administration of justice.
He noted that the prosecution, led by the Department of State Services (DSS), had raised concerns that the defendants might interfere with witnesses or abscond if released — an argument the defense did not challenge.
Justice Nwite further ruled that the sureties presented by the accused were not credible and could not guarantee their attendance in court. He also pointed out that the bail motion contained serious procedural defects, including the failure to list all defendants properly and the filing of a joint affidavit instead of separate affidavits for each accused person.
Court Orders Accelerated Trial
In his decision, Justice Nwite emphasized that the presumption of innocence does not automatically entitle a defendant to bail, especially in cases of terrorism where evidence points to possible risks.
He ordered that the defendants remain in the custody of the DSS pending the commencement of their trial.
The court has fixed October 19, 2025 for the start of hearing in the matter and granted an order for accelerated proceedings.
Background
The Owo church massacre on June 5, 2022, shocked Nigeria and the international community. Gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles and improvised explosive devices attacked worshippers during Pentecost Mass, killing dozens and injuring scores more.
The attack drew widespread condemnation, with President Muhammadu Buhari at the time calling it a “heinous act” and pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The arrest and trial of the five accused men mark a major step in the government’s efforts to prosecute those alleged to be responsible for one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria’s history.