The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed the commencement of trial for five men accused of orchestrating the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned the suspects — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — before Justice Emeka Nwite on August 11, 2025.
They are facing a nine-count charge of terrorism linked to the June 5, 2022 massacre, which claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 worshippers injured.
According to the charges, the accused persons are alleged members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, operating a cell in Kogi State. The DSS further claimed that the suspects held planning meetings in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi and Ose Local Government Area of Ondo before carrying out the attack.
The five defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court is expected to proceed with the full trial in the coming days.
