Five men accused of orchestrating the 2022 bombing of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, have pleaded not guilty to nine counts of terrorism brought against them by the Federal Government.
The suspects — Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdul Malik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar — were arraigned on Monday before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja. They are alleged to be members of the Al-Shabab terrorist group operating a cell in Kogi State.
Justice Nwite fixed August 19, 2025, for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendants remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Their arraignment comes three years after the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, announced their arrest. At the time, the National Security Council linked the Owo attack to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Over 40 worshippers were killed and many others injured when armed attackers stormed the church during Sunday mass, opening fire on congregants. The late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, had condemned the assault as a crime against humanity and reiterated his call for state police.
“A single police command cannot guarantee safety in this country. We must have state police now. We are doing our best with Amotekun, but it suffers many limitations in acquiring all the equipment needed to fight these criminals,” Akeredolu had said.
