Court Convicts Four Over Roles in Owo Church Attack, Acquits One

—

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday convicted four men over their involvement in the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, in which about 40 worshippers were killed and 140 others injured.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment after reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution and defence over three hours.

The court convicted Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25, on multiple counts including belonging to a proscribed terrorist group and masterminding the attack.

The fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, was discharged and acquitted on all counts after the judge ruled that the prosecution did not prove that he financed the attack.

Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had proven the case against the four convicted defendants, stating that it was clear they belonged to a proscribed terrorist group known as Al-Shabaab.

The attack occurred during a Pentecost Sunday Mass at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo in June 2022. Gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives inside and around the church, killing at least 41 worshippers and injuring more than 140 others.

The defendants were arraigned in August 2025 on terrorism charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. Prosecutors alleged that the suspects belonged to an Al-Shabaab cell operating in Kogi State and that they planned and carried out the deadly church attack.

The trial formally opened in December 2025, with the prosecution calling 11 witnesses, including survivors, church members, Amotekun operatives, and DSS investigators.

One witness who testified in a wheelchair told the court she lost both legs and one eye after explosives detonated during the attack. A DSS digital forensic expert testified that investigators used phone tracking, geospatial analysis, and cell tower triangulation to trace and arrest the suspects.

During the trial, the defence argued that the defendants’ confessional statements were obtained under duress and torture. However, the judge admitted the statements in evidence after ruling on the objections.

Justice Nwite is still determining the remaining counts as of the time of this report.

The judgment brings a measure of closure to one of Nigeria’s most horrific terrorist attacks, nearly four years after the massacre.

Sources: Premium Times