The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five men accused of involvement in the deadly June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. The attack, which shocked the nation, claimed the lives of about 40 worshippers and left more than 100 others injured.
The defendants — 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 charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, bordering on terrorism.
In a counter-affidavit opposing their bail application, the DSS claimed the suspects had alleged ties to foreign terrorist fighters affiliated with the Al-Shabab group. The security agency warned that granting them bail could compromise public safety, endanger prosecution witnesses, and risk the defendants fleeing justice.
“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 defendants’ accomplices are still at large and have been making frantic efforts to monitor their trial, intimidate witnesses, and free them from lawful custody,” the DSS argued.
The prosecution further disclosed that its witnesses had expressed fears of possible attacks from associates of the accused, adding that this prompted a separate ex parte application for witness protection.
Counsel to the defendants, Abdullahi Mohammad, however, urged the court to grant bail, noting that the suspects had been in custody since 2022 and were prepared to provide credible sureties. But prosecuting counsel, Dr. Calistus Eze, maintained that the bail request lacked merit, emphasizing the ongoing threats against witnesses.
After hearing arguments, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned ruling on the bail application until September 10.
Earlier, proceedings were briefly stalled after Eze informed the court that the DSS had transferred the case to a senior lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), who is awaiting a fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation’s office to fully take charge of the prosecution. The judge granted an adjournment.
In a separate ruling, Justice Nwite also approved the DSS’s request for protective measures for prosecution witnesses, allowing them to testify under veils or disguises and barring their real names from appearing in public court records.
The Owo massacre, one of Nigeria’s most heinous terrorist attacks in recent years, continues to stir public outrage as families of victims demand swift justice.
