A Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in the trial of five men accused of masterminding the deadly 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo State.
Justice Emeka Nwite announced that judgment would be delivered on a date to be communicated to all parties after both the prosecution and defence concluded their final arguments before the court.
The case, which has attracted national and international attention, is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services. Prosecutors urged the court to impose the maximum punishment prescribed by law, including the death penalty, arguing that the attack represented one of the most brutal acts of terrorism against civilians in recent Nigerian history.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, told the court that the prosecution had presented substantial evidence linking the defendants to the attack through investigations and witness testimonies.
He maintained that the scale of the violence and the loss of innocent lives required firm judicial action to serve as a deterrent against terrorism and violent extremism.
However, counsel to the defendants, Abdullahi Mohammad, asked the court to discharge and acquit his clients, insisting that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The five defendants standing trial are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
The June 5, 2022 attack on the Catholic church in Owo shocked Nigeria and the international community after worshippers were attacked during a church service, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from world leaders and international organisations, including Pope Francis, former United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
Prominent Nigerian leaders, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, late former Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also condemned the attack and called for justice for the victims.
The court’s pending judgment is expected to be closely watched as part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to combat terrorism, strengthen national security, and ensure accountability for mass violence against civilians.
