A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced four persons to death by hanging for their involvement in the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which claimed the lives of dozens of worshippers in June 2022.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding the accused guilty of terrorism-related offences brought against them by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The court ruled that the prosecution successfully established its case beyond reasonable doubt, linking the convicts to the planning and execution of the attack that shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation from within and outside Nigeria.
The convicted persons are:
Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25)
Al Qasim Idris (20)
Jamiu Abdulmalik (26)
Abdulhaleem Idris (25)
According to the court, the four men were members of a terrorist network operating in Kogi State and actively participated in meetings where the attack was planned before carrying it out on June 5, 2022, during a Pentecost Sunday service.
Evidence presented before the court showed that the attackers stormed the church while worship was ongoing, opened fire on congregants, and deployed explosive devices, resulting in one of the deadliest attacks on a religious gathering in Nigeria’s recent history.
The assault left more than 40 worshippers dead, while over 100 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The defendants had faced a nine-count charge bordering on terrorism and related offences.
Meanwhile, the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence to establish his involvement in the crime.
The suspects were arrested in August 2022 following extensive intelligence operations across Kogi and Ondo States. Security agencies reportedly tracked and identified the suspects through advanced geospatial and telecommunications analysis.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite emphasized that terrorism and violent extremism pose grave threats to national security and public safety, noting that those found guilty must face the full weight of the law.
The Owo church massacre remains one of the most devastating attacks on a place of worship in Nigeria’s history, sparking national mourning and renewed calls for stronger measures to combat terrorism and insecurity across the country.
The latest judgment is expected to bring a measure of closure to families of the victims and survivors who have continued to seek justice since the tragic incident nearly four years ago.
AIV NEWS reports that the verdict marks a significant milestone in the prosecution of those responsible for the attack and underscores ongoing efforts by security agencies and the judiciary to hold perpetrators of terrorism accountable.
