DSS Arraigns Five Suspects Over 2022 Owo Catholic Church Attack
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arraigned five men before the Federal High Court in Abuja for their alleged roles in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left more than 40 people dead and over 100 injured.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — are facing a nine-count terrorism charge in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025. They are accused of membership in the Al Shabab terrorist group, which allegedly operates a cell in Kogi State, and of carrying out the attack to further their extremist ideology.
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A security source disclosed that four of the accused had confessed to direct participation in the attack, while the fifth was allegedly a willing accomplice.
All five pleaded not guilty when the charges were read. Prosecution counsel Calistus Eze requested that they remain in custody, while defence lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad asked the court to direct the DSS to grant the defendants’ families and lawyers access to them, noting that they had been held since 2022 without such contact.
Eze responded that access is typically granted upon formal written request but acknowledged the necessity of allowing the defence legal access to prepare their case.
In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that the defendants remain in DSS custody and adjourned the trial to August 19, 2025.
By PRNigeria
