Owo church attackers linked to Al-Shabaab – DSS

A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the shielding of witnesses in the trial of five suspects in the 2022 attack at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, who have been linked to a foreign terrorist organisation, Al-Shabaab. Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday granted the application to conduct the trial with a […]

A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the shielding of witnesses in the trial of five suspects in the 2022 attack at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, who have been linked to a foreign terrorist organisation, Al-Shabaab.

Justice Emeka Nwite on Tuesday granted the application to conduct the trial with a witness shield against Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

The judge directed the Department of State Security Services (DSS) not to reveal the identities of the witnesses in the trial.

The counsel to the DSS, Dr C.S. Eze, who brought the ex parte application, submitted that the shielding of the witnesses was important to ensure their safety due to a threat by the terrorist organisation.

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The judge further fixed September 10 for ruling on the bail application brought by the defence counsel, A.G. Ibrahim.

Ibrahim, whose bail application is dated August 11, 2025, pleaded with the court to grant the suspects bail to enable them to prepare for their defence, having been detained since 2022, adding that they have assembled reliable sureties to take them on bail.

However, Eze objected to the bail on the grounds that the defendants may escape if granted bail because of the gravity of charges against them, more so as they were linked to foreign terrorists and the Al-Shabaab.

“The defendants’ accomplices are still at large and have been making frantic efforts to monitor their trial, intimidate witnesses, and free the defendants from lawful custody,” he said.

One of the charges read: “That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 30th May, 2022; 37 June, 2022 and 4 June, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA, Kogi State and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo State, respectively, attended and held meetings, where you agreed to and planned for the terrorist attack, which you carried out on 5th June, 2022, at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(a) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Meanwhile, Eze has informed the court that Adedeji Adedipe (SAN) has been engaged by DSS to lead the prosecution team, adding that they have applied to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for a fiat to prosecute.