…Gov. Aiyedatiwa commends judgment
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in the 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 worshippers dead and about 141 others injured.
The convicts are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25.
Justice Emeka Nwite convicted the four men on nine terrorism-related charges, including membership of a proscribed terrorist group, conspiracy, terrorism financing, hostage-taking, possession and use of dangerous weapons, and the detonation of explosives that resulted in deaths, injuries and destruction.
The judge, however, discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, after ruling that the prosecution failed to establish the case against him beyond reasonable doubt.
Delivering judgment after about nine months of trial, Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case against the four convicts.
“The prosecution has successfully established the nine-count charge against the first, second, third and fourth defendants beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge ruled.
The court sentenced the four men to life imprisonment on one count, 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine on two counts, and death by hanging on five counts.
Justice Nwite ordered that the convicts be “hanged by the neck until death,” adding, “May the Lord have mercy on your souls.”
The court found that the convicts belonged to a terrorist group identified as Al-Shabaab, allegedly operating in parts of Kogi and Ondo states under the coordination of a leader known as Adoba.
“From the foregoing, it is clear as day that the first, second, third and fourth defendants belong to a proscribed terrorist group, Al-Shabaab,” the judge said.
According to the court, the prosecution established that planning meetings for the attack were held on May 30, June 1 and June 4, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogaminana, Kogi State, and at a mosque where the father of one of the defendants served as chief imam.
The judge held that the evidence of prosecution witnesses, corroborated by the defendants’ confessional statements, remained unshaken during cross-examination.
The attack occurred on June 5, 2022, during a Pentecost Sunday Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, when gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives within and around the church premises.
At least 41 worshippers were killed, while more than 140 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 11 witnesses, including survivors, church members, security personnel, forensic experts and investigators.
One witness identified two of the defendants as among the attackers, while another victim testified from a wheelchair, recounting how she lost both legs and one eye in the explosion.
A digital forensic expert from the Department of State Services told the court that investigators used phone tracking, geospatial analysis and cell tower triangulation to trace and arrest the suspects.
The defendants denied involvement in the attack and alleged that their confessional statements were obtained under torture.
The court, however, ruled that the statements were voluntarily made and were admissible as evidence.
Justice Nwite also cited forensic evidence and communication records linking the defendants to the planning and execution of the attack.
Following the judgment, lead prosecuting counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), said justice had been served for the victims and their families.
The defence counsel, Abdullahi Mohammed, maintained that the convicts were innocent and said the legal team would study the judgment before deciding on further action.
The four convicts also insisted they were wrongly convicted.
Ondo Gov commends judiciary over death sentence for Owo church attack suspects
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has commended the judiciary and security agencies for securing the conviction and death sentence of four suspects involved in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The Governor described the verdict as a victory for justice, the rule of law, and for victims of the deadly assault that claimed lives and left several worshippers injured.
He praised the efforts of prosecutors, investigators, and the judiciary, saying the judgment sends a strong message that acts of terror will be met with full legal consequences regardless of how long it takes.
Aiyedatiwa also appreciated the resilience of the people of Owo and the Catholic community, noting their commitment to peace despite the trauma of the attack.
He assured residents that his administration will continue working with security agencies to strengthen intelligence and improve public safety to prevent a recurrence of such tragedy, while praying for the repose of the victims and comfort for their families.