Court Fixes Date For Judgment In Trial Of Owo Church Attack Suspects

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled Wednesday, June 3, for the delivery of judgment in the trial of five men prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are standing trial over the deadly incident that drew national outrage and widespread condemnation.

According to Ireporter Online, Justice Emeka Nwite had earlier reserved judgment after both the prosecution and defence counsel adopted their final written addresses and presented concluding arguments in the case. The decision followed extensive proceedings in which both sides urged the court to consider their submissions on the matter.

The prosecution counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), urged the court to convict the defendants and impose the maximum penalty, arguing that the evidence presented clearly established their alleged involvement in the attack. He maintained that the prosecution had successfully proved its case through detailed investigations and credible evidence, describing the incident as one of the most tragic assaults on worshippers in recent Nigerian history.

However, defence counsel, Abdullahi Mohammad, asked the court to discharge and acquit the defendants, insisting that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The trial, which commenced on August 1, 2025, followed an order for accelerated hearing obtained by the DSS. Judgment is now expected as the court reconvenes on the scheduled date.