In a pivotal move for justice, five suspects linked to the horrifying June 5, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, have been formally arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The court, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has scheduled the trial to begin on August 19, 2025—a landmark moment in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
Details of the Arraignment
Date & Venue: The suspects appeared in court on August 11, 2025, before Justice Nwite.
Defendants: The accused are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
Charges: They face nine counts under Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including allegations of being members of a Kogi State cell of Al-Shabab who conspired to carry out the attack.
Plea & Remand: The suspects pleaded not guilty and were remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending trial.
Defense Access: The court ordered that the DSS grant access to the suspects’ families and legal counsel to prepare their defense.
Background to the Attack
On June 5, 2022, during Pentecost Sunday service, gunmen disguised as congregants launched a terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, killing at least 40 to over 50 people and injuring more than 100. The assault involved explosive devices and coordinated gunfire both inside and outside the church. Various estimates place fatalities between 40 and 61, depending on the source.
Federal authorities initially blamed ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), though no group claimed responsibility; court filings now allege the suspects joined Al-Shabab in 2021 and plotted multiple attacks, though the group's active presence in Nigeria remains unconfirmed.
Test for Counterterrorism Judiciary: This high-profile trial represents Nigeria’s evolving capability to prosecute terrorism under its 2022 legislation.
Accountability & Security Trust: The Owo community and broader Nigerian populace await closure and justice for one of the country’s most brutal attacks on worshippers.
Legal Precedent: How Justice Nwite handles this case could establish new benchmarks in evidence presentation, terrorist group attribution, and victim advocacy.
In a courtroom charged with anticipation, five men accused of orchestrating the June 2022 Owo church massacre have formally entered pleas of not guilty. With a trial date set for August 19, 2025, the proceedings mark a critical juncture in Nigeria’s counterterrorism judicial efforts.
Arraignment & Accusations: The five suspects, arraigned on nine terrorism counts, stand accused of aligning with Al-Shabab and plotting attacks in Kogi and Ondo States. Justice Emeka Nwite presides over the case, which tests the potency of Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Families and lawyers have now secured court-ordered access to the DSS-held detainees ahead of trial.
Attack Overview: On June 5, 2022, Pentecost service attendees at St. Francis Catholic Church endured a brutal assault—marked by gunfire and blasts—from attackers disguised as congregants. The death toll is estimated between 40 to 61, with scores injured, leaving a community shaken to its core.
Broader Implications: The upcoming trial not only seeks justice for Owo but also gauges the integrity of Nigeria’s legal response to rising extremism. Analysts and affected families alike are closely watching proceedings for both closure and precedent.
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