The federal government has arraigned five men in connection with the 2022 attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which claimed the lives of over 40 worshippers.
On June 5, 2022, gunmen stormed the church during a Sunday service, firing indiscriminately at close range. The incident was one of the deadliest attacks on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history.
The accused, identified as Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, were brought to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.
They were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite on a nine-count charge filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The charges include terrorism, murder, and membership of a proscribed organisation.
According to the prosecution, the defendants, along with others still at large, allegedly joined the Al Shabab terrorist group in 2021 and established a cell in Kogi State.
The government said this violated Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The federal government further alleged that the suspects held meetings in 2022 at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi local government area of Kogi State, and behind Omialafia Central Mosque, Ose local government area of Ondo State.
Prosecutors claimed that these meetings were used to plan the June 2022 church attack, in which armed men entered the premises and shot at worshippers during Mass.
During Monday’s proceedings, the charges were read to the accused, but their pleas were not immediately taken.
The case is expected to continue with further hearings on the admissibility of evidence and witness testimonies.
Security was tight around the court premises, with armed DSS operatives stationed at various points to prevent any disturbance.
Family members of victims and church representatives were also present in the courtroom.
The Owo Catholic Church massacre drew national and international condemnation in 2022, with calls for justice and improved security for places of worship across Nigeria
