The Federal High Court in Abuja has opened the trial of five men accused of masterminding the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which killed over 40 worshippers and injured more than 100.
The suspects, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar were arraigned by the DSS on August 11, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite. They face nine terrorism-related charges and have all pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege the men belong to an Al Shabab terrorist cell in Kogi State, held planning meetings in Kogi and Ondo in 2022, and carried out the attack as part of their extremist ideology. The case is proceeding under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
