ABUJA, Nigeria- Nearly four years after the deadly attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, suspects linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group are still battling for bail in court.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five men accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022, massacre, which killed about 40 worshippers and left more than 100 injured.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — were arraigned in August on nine terrorism-related counts.
In a counter-affidavit, the DSS argued that freeing the men would endanger witnesses and undermine the trial, stressing their alleged ties to foreign terrorist fighters. “There is a very high likelihood of defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to Al-Shabab,” the DSS told the court.
Prosecutors also revealed that accomplices remain at large and have attempted to intimidate witnesses.
The court has since granted an order for witness protection, allowing them to testify hooded and veiled.
Defence lawyer Abdullahi Mohammad countered that the men have been in detention since 2022 and are willing to present credible sureties. Prosecuting counsel, Dr. Calistus Eze, urged the court to reject the application.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned ruling on the bail application until September 10, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the case.
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