The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail to five men accused of carrying out the 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The suspects are alleged members of the Al-Shabab terrorist group and are facing multiple terrorism-related charges.
Delivering his ruling on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the charges against the accused were of a capital nature and that releasing them on bail could endanger public safety.
The five defendants, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar were arraigned on August 11, 2025, on nine counts of terrorism.
These include allegations of membership in a terrorist organisation, possession of illegal weapons and direct involvement in the June 5, 2022, church bombing that killed over 40 worshippers and injured more than 100 others.
The defence counsel, Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim, had filed a bail application arguing that the defendants had arranged “reliable and responsible sureties.”
The application was heard on August 19.
However, the Department of State Services (DSS), represented by Dr. Callistus Eze, opposed the application.
The prosecution warned that the accused might flee and that granting them bail could intimidate witnesses or compromise the trial.
Justice Nwite agreed with the DSS, describing the application as procedurally flawed.
He pointed out that the defendants’ names were not properly listed on the motion paper, and that the application was backed by a joint affidavit, instead of separate affidavits for each individual, as required by law.
“The charges before the court involve grave national security concerns,” Justice Nwite said.
“The defence has not provided sufficient or credible grounds for bail. To release them would pose a judicial risk.”
The accused are being held under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Among the charges are participating in meetings to plan the Owo church attack, possession of AK-47 rifles and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and affiliation with Al-Shabab’s Kogi State cell.
The attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church during Pentecost Sunday Mass in 2022 shocked the nation, triggering outrage and renewed calls for action against terrorism.
It remains one of the deadliest attacks in Nigeria outside the North-East region.
Justice Nwite ordered that the accused remain in DSS custody and granted a request for an accelerated hearing.
The trial is set to begin on October 19, 2025.
