The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group to death by hanging for their involvement in the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Emeka Nwite, following their conviction on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.
The attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, left more than 40 worshippers dead and over 100 others injured during a Pentecost service.
Court Finds Four Guilty
The convicted persons are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), and Abdulhaleem Idris (25). They were found guilty of participating in the deadly assault carried out by a terrorist cell operating in Kogi State.
Justice Nwite ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the defendants were active members of the group responsible for the attack.
He held that their actions directly contributed to the violence that disrupted the church service and caused mass casualties.
Fifth Defendant Acquitted
The court, however, discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), after finding insufficient evidence linking him to the attack.
The judge said the prosecution failed to establish his direct involvement in the incident.
Evidence Presented in Court
During the trial, the prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits, including confessional statements and a digital forensic report.
Among the exhibits admitted was a device said to contain communications between the defendants before and after the attack.
A surviving Catholic priest also testified, recounting how the attackers detonated multiple explosive devices inside the church, causing panic and heavy casualties.
Terror Conviction Upheld
Justice Nwite held that the totality of the evidence clearly connected the four convicts to the attack and justified their conviction on terrorism charges.
The ruling brings a legal conclusion to one of Nigeria’s most deadly church attacks in recent years.