A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused bail to five men accused of carrying out the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022.
The suspects — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were arraigned on August 11, 2025, by the Department of State Services (DSS) before Justice Emeka Nwite.
The men, alleged members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, are facing trial for the massacre, which claimed more than 40 lives and left over 100 worshippers injured.
Ruling on their bail application, Justice Nwite described the charges as capital in nature and emphasized that granting bail could endanger witnesses and compromise the judicial process. He added that the defendants, believed to belong to a “strong terrorist organization,” might attempt to flee or influence the trial if released.
The court upheld the arguments of DSS counsel, Dr. Callistus Eze, who opposed bail on grounds that the suspects posed a serious flight risk and that the evidence against them was compelling. Notably, the defense did not contest these points.
The case has now been adjourned for further hearing.
