A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday denied bail to five individuals accused of being members of the Al-Shabab terrorist group.
The defendants allegedly orchestrated a deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 worshippers dead.
Presiding Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the bail application, stating that the terrorism charges were capital in nature. He noted that the defendants posed a potential threat to witnesses and the integrity of the trial.
Justice Nwite agreed with submissions from the Department of State Services (DSS) that the evidence against the accused was substantial and that they might flee if granted bail. The defence did not contest these claims.
He further criticised procedural lapses in the bail application, including the omission of the defendants’ names from the motion paper and the submission of a joint two-paragraph affidavit instead of individual affidavits, which the law requires.
The court granted an accelerated hearing and fixed October 19, 2025, for the trial to commence.
The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
Some charges against them include joining the Al-Shabab terrorist group in Kogi State in 2021 and planning and carrying out the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, contrary to Sections 12(a) and 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Alex Enumah and Linus Aleke
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