The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four persons to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, which claimed the lives of at least 41 worshippers and left more than 100 others injured.
Delivering judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the prosecution, led by the Department of State Services (DSS), successfully established its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The court convicted Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25, on multiple terrorism-related charges, including membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, conspiracy and participation in the deadly attack.
Justice Nwite ruled that evidence presented before the court clearly showed that the convicted men were members of the terrorist group identified as Al-Shabaab.
The judge found the four defendants guilty on counts one and two, holding that the prosecution’s evidence remained credible and was not effectively challenged by the defence.
On count three, the court convicted the defendants in connection with meetings held on May 30, 2022, which prosecutors linked to the planning and execution of the church attack.
The court also returned guilty verdicts on counts four and five.
However, the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, was discharged and acquitted of all charges after the court found insufficient evidence linking him to the terrorist activities.
On count six, which accused Abubakar of financing terrorism, Justice Nwite ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that he provided financial support for the attack.
“The prosecution did not prove that the fifth defendant financed the attack,” the judge held while acquitting him.
The attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, remains one of Nigeria’s deadliest attacks on a place of worship in recent years. Armed assailants had stormed the church during a Sunday service, opening fire on worshippers and detonating explosives, leaving scores dead and many others wounded.
The judgment brings to a close a major phase of the criminal trial arising from the attack, nearly four years after the tragic incident that shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation from within and outside Nigeria.
Families of victims and residents of Owo have long demanded justice for those killed and injured in the attack, which remains one of the most painful events in the history of Ondo State.
