Five suspected masterminds of the 2022 bombing of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State have pleaded not guilty to nine counts of terrorism filed against them by the Federal Government.
The suspects, Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdul Malik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Abubakar, who were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court on Monday, August 11, 2025, are accused of being members of Al-Shabab terrorist group with a cell in Kogi State.
The office of the Attorney-General is prosecuting the case on FG’s behalf.
AGF, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/301/2025, preferred nine counts against the defendants.
In the charge filed and signed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, the suspects, and others who were at large, were alleged to have in sometime in 2021, joined and became members of Al-Shabab terrorist group.
They were alleged to have their “cell in Kogi and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25 (1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. 2022.
In count two, they were alleged to have on May 30, 2022, June 3, 2022 and June 4, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA in Kogi and behind Omialafa Central Mosques, Ose LGA, Ondo State, respectively, attended and held meetings, where they agreed to and planned for the terrorist attack, which they carried out on June 5, 2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12 (a) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. 2022.
Justice Nwite has fixed August 19, 2025 for the commencement of trial.
The judge equally ordered the suspects to be remanded in the custody of the Department Of State Services (DSS).
The arraignment of the suspects comes three years after the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, said those behind the attack were arrested.
The National Security Council had linked the attack to heinous activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Over 40 worshippers were k!lled and scores injured when terrorists invaded the church during a Sunday service and opened fire on worshippers during mass.
The then Ondo State Governor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu, had described the attack as a crime against humanity.
