Owo Church Attack: Court Rejects Bail for Five Suspected Al-Shabab Militants in Deadly
Owo Church Attack — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday turned down the bail plea of five suspected Al-Shabab terrorists accused of orchestrating the horrific attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left more than 40 worshippers dead and over 100 others grievously injured.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who delivered the ruling, stressed that the terrorism charges were “capital in nature” and highlighted the grave risk that the defendants—believed to be members of a notorious terrorist organisation—could intimidate witnesses, interfere with evidence, and compromise the trial.
PulseNets obtained details indicating that the Department of State Services (DSS) vigorously opposed the bail application, arguing that the strength of its evidence could not be ignored. Upholding this position, Justice Nwite said, “The arguments of the DSS, that these individuals are likely to abscond and jeopardise proceedings if released, remain unchallenged and therefore stand accepted by the court.”
The judge further faulted the defence for failing to present credible sureties who could vouch for the accused pending trial. He also underscored that granting bail would pose what he described as a “judicial risk.”
Before even addressing the merits of the bail request, Justice Nwite declared the motion on notice incompetent because the names of the five defendants were not properly listed on the motion paper. Additionally, the joint two-paragraph affidavit supporting all five defendants’ request violated legal requirements that each accused person must file a separate affidavit.
Granting an accelerated trial, the court fixed October 19 for the commencement of substantive proceedings. PulseNets learnt that the bail application, filed on August 11, 2025, was argued by defence counsel Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim on August 19, 2025.
The five defendants—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar—were said to have secured what their lawyer described as “responsible sureties.” However, DSS counsel Dr Callistus Eze told PulseNets that releasing them “would embolden them to flee justice considering the severity of the terrorism counts.”
According to counts PulseNets obtained from the charge sheet, the suspects are accused of joining the Al-Shabab terrorist group with a cell in Kogi State in 2021, contrary to Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. They allegedly met multiple times in May and June 2022 in Kogi and Ondo States, plotting the June 5, 2022, attack on the Owo church, a violation of Section 12(a) of the same Act.
Prosecutors assert that on June 5, 2022, armed with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and AK-47 rifles, the five men stormed St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, holding worshippers hostage, inflicting grievous harm on more than 100 people, and killing over 40—offences punishable under Sections 24, 42(a)(ii), and related provisions of the Terrorism Act. Names of victims cited in the charge include Ajanaku John, Onuoha Deborah, Onileke Esther, John Bosede, Onuchukwu Happiness, Ogungbade Vivan, and Nnakwe Paschaline Ugochinyerem.
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Security analysts spoke to PulseNets, warning that the case highlights Nigeria’s heightened terrorism threat and the judiciary’s firm stance against granting bail in such high-profile prosecutions. By refusing bail and fast-tracking the trial, Justice Nwite signalled the court’s resolve to ensure accountability for one of the deadliest attacks in Ondo State’s history.
