The Department of State Services has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja not to grant bail to five men accused of taking part in the June 5, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The agency, in a counter-affidavit opposing their bail plea, argued that the defendants have alleged links with foreign terrorist groups and could compromise witnesses if released.
The accused persons – Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) – were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the DSS, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.
According to the DSS, the charges carry capital punishment if proved. It recalled that the Owo church attack claimed about 40 lives and left more than 100 worshippers injured.
The DSS further alleged that the suspects’ accomplices remain at large and are actively monitoring the trial, intimidating witnesses, and planning to free the defendants from custody.
It added that some prosecution witnesses have expressed fear of possible attacks, prompting the agency to file an application for witness protection.
“The likelihood of the defendants evading trial is very high, considering their connection to foreign fighters linked with the Al-Shabab terrorist network,” the DSS told the court.
Defence counsel, Abdullahi Mohammad, countered that his clients have been in detention since 2022 and are prepared to present credible sureties to guarantee their appearance in court.
However, prosecuting lawyer Dr. Calistus Eze insisted the bail request was baseless, stressing that there are real threats against witnesses which the defence team is aware of.
Justice Emeka Nwite, after listening to both sides, adjourned the matter until September 10 for ruling on the bail application.
Earlier, Eze informed the court that the DSS had handed over the case to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), who will lead the prosecution once the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) grants the necessary fiat. He therefore sought an adjournment, which was not opposed by the defence.
Eze also successfully applied for an order shielding the identity of prosecution witnesses.
Justice Nwite granted the request, allowing witnesses to testify in disguise and be identified only by coded alphabets in court records.
After proceedings, defence lawyer Mohammad told journalists that although he had yet to see his clients in custody, he was informed that they were being treated well.
Two lawyers, Edward Ogar and Vincent Adodo, also attended the session, holding a watching brief for the Catholic Diocese of Ondo.
