The Federal High Court in Abuja has commenced the trial of five men accused of masterminding the deadly bombing at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in June 2022.
The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned the suspects — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — on August 11, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite on terrorism-related charges.
The attack, which shocked the nation, claimed the lives of over 40 worshippers and left more than 100 others injured during Sunday mass.
According to the DSS, the accused persons are alleged members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, with an operational cell based in Kogi State. Investigators allege that the group plotted the assault during secret meetings at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA in Kogi State, and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo State, before executing the coordinated attack on June 5, 2022.
The defendants, who face a nine-count charge under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, are accused of carrying out the massacre to advance their extremist religious ideology.
All five pleaded not guilty to the charges when arraigned.
The case is expected to test Nigeria’s judicial resolve against terrorism and deliver long-awaited justice to victims and families affected by one of the country’s most horrific attacks in recent years.
