A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in the 2022 terrorist attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, one of the deadliest assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria in recent years.
The convicts — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris — were found guilty on nine counts of terrorism-related offences, including membership of a proscribed terrorist group and involvement in the planning and execution of the attack.
Delivering judgement, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that the evidence presented against the defendants was “neither shaken nor contradicted during cross examination.”
“Hence this court finds the first to fourth defendants guilty of all nine counts,” he said.
The court also sentenced the men to 20 years’ imprisonment for belonging to a terrorist group.
A fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence linking him to the crime.
The attack, which took place during a Pentecost service on 5 June 2022, left no fewer than 40 worshippers dead and over 100 others injured.
During the trial, the court heard harrowing testimony from survivors, including a woman who lost both legs from the knees and an eye following a dynamite explosion detonated by the attackers.
Prosecutors said witnesses had identified some of the defendants at the scene, reinforcing the case against them.
“Justice has been served, justice has been done to the deceased who were murdered in cold blood,” said prosecuting counsel Ayodeji Adedipe.
The defence, however, indicated that the convicts would appeal the judgement. During proceedings, the defendants alleged that they had been tortured while in custody, claiming they were hung from the ceiling, beaten repeatedly, and subjected to electric shocks.
The Department of State Services had accused the group of links to foreign terrorist organisations and of orchestrating the attack that resulted in mass casualties.
Reacting to the verdict, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described the judgement as a victory for justice and the rule of law.
“The Governor described the court verdict as a victory for justice, the rule of law, and for all victims of the heinous attack that claimed the lives of innocent worshippers and left many others injured,” Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said in a press statement.
“He noted that the diligence of the prosecution team, the thoroughness of investigators, and the courage of the judiciary have shown that government will not tolerate acts of terror or violence against its people. This judgment sends a clear message that those who take innocent lives will face the full weight of the law, no matter how long it takes.”
He also commended the “resilience of the people of Owo and the Catholic community who, despite the trauma, have remained steadfast and committed to peace.”
The Governor reassured residents that his administration would continue to work closely with security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and safeguard public spaces.
“While nothing can bring back the lives lost, the Governor said this judgment provides a measure of closure and hope that justice is possible,” the statement added.
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