Court Picks Date To Deliver Judgment In Trial Of Owo Church Attack Suspects

The Federal High Court in Abuja has picked Wednesday, June 3, as the date to deliver judgment in the trial of five men being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

Naija News recalls that Justice Emeka Nwite reserved judgment last week in the ongoing trial. He reached the decision after hearing final arguments from lawyers for the prosecution and the defence.

However, according to The Cable, the matter has now been scheduled for judgment on Wednesday.

In his final submission, counsel to the prosecution, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), urged the court to convict the defendants and impose the maximum sentence of death in view of the enormity of the crime they allegedly committed.

Adedipe argued that the prosecution had painstakingly established its case against the defendants through compelling evidence and detailed investigations, which he stressed reflected the determination of security agencies to ensure accountability for one of the deadliest attacks on innocent worshippers in Nigerian history.

However, counsel to the defendants, Abdullahi Mohammad, prayed the court to discharge and acquit his clients on the grounds that the prosecution was unable to establish its case against them.

The trial commenced on August 1, 2025, after the DSS secured an order for accelerated hearing.