A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday declined to grant bail to five men accused of carrying out the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which claimed more than 40 lives.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the bail application lacked merit, stressing that the terrorism charges against the defendants were capital in nature.
The judge ruled that the five accused persons, said to be members of the Al-Shabab terrorist group, could intimidate witnesses and jeopardise their trial if released.
He also upheld the argument of the Department of State Services (DSS) that the evidence against the suspects was weighty.
Besides, Justice Nwite noted that the prosecution’s submission that the defendants were likely to abscond if granted bail was not controverted by their counsel.
The judge further observed that the accused persons failed to provide credible sureties and that admitting them to bail would amount to taking a judicial risk.
In his words, the court found that the defendants did not provide “cogent reasons” to warrant bail, adding that their application was incompetent since the names of the defendants were not listed on the motion paper as required by law.
He also faulted the supporting affidavit, saying it was jointly deposed to by all five defendants instead of each filing separately as required.
While refusing the application, Justice Nwite granted accelerated hearing and fixed October 19 for commencement of trial.
It was recalled that the defendants’ bail request, dated August 11, 2025, was moved by their lawyer, Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim, on August 19. He had argued that his clients presented reliable sureties.
But DSS counsel, Dr. Callistus Eze, urged the court to dismiss the application, warning that the gravity of the charges could make the suspects escape.
The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
Part of the charge reads: “That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar adults, males, with others still at large, sometime in 2021, did join and became members of AL Shabab Terrorist Group, with cell in Kogi State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“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; 3rd June, 2022 and 4th 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. Francis 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.”
About the Author
