Owo Church Attack Suspects Have Foreign Terrorist Links, Don’t Grant Them Bail, DSS Tells Court

The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five men standing trial over the June 5, 2022, massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, citing alleged connections to foreign terrorist groups.

In a counter-affidavit opposing their bail application, the DSS argued that the defendants posed a grave security risk if released, stressing their alleged ties with Al-Shabab and other foreign fighters.

The accused — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025. The charges arise from the attack, which claimed about 40 lives and left more than 100 worshippers injured.

“There is a very high likelihood of defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group,” the DSS stated.

The agency added that some accomplices remain at large and were making “frantic efforts” to monitor the trial, intimidate witnesses, and possibly secure the defendants’ escape from custody.

Prosecutors further informed the court that witnesses had expressed fear of reprisals, prompting an ex-parte application for witness protection. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request, allowing witnesses to testify under protection, with their identities shielded and presented only by coded letters.

Defence counsel, Abdullahi Mohammad, while moving the bail application, maintained that the suspects had been in custody since 2022 and were willing to present credible sureties. However, prosecuting counsel, Dr. Calistus Eze, countered that the security threats made bail inappropriate.

After hearing submissions, Justice Nwite adjourned ruling on the bail application to September 10.

Earlier, Eze informed the court that the DSS had appointed senior lawyer Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN) to lead the prosecution team and sought time to obtain a fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation to formalize his role. The defence did not oppose the request.

Outside the courtroom, Mohammad told journalists that although he had not physically met with his clients in DSS custody, they had assured him they were being treated fairly.

The hearing was also attended by lawyers Edward Ogar and Vincent Adodo, who held a watching brief for the Catholic Diocese of Ondo.