Mirian Gom 
AKURE, Nigeria – Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has hailed the conviction and death sentence handed to four terrorists responsible for the deadly attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, describing the verdict as a victory for justice and the rule of law.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four defendants to death by hanging for their roles in the 5 June 2022 massacre that left more than 40 worshippers dead and many others injured.
The convicts — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris — were found guilty on nine terrorism-related charges.
Reacting to the judgment, Governor Aiyedatiwa said, “This judgment sends a clear message that those who take innocent lives will face the full weight of the law, no matter how long it takes,” the governor said.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts were members of a proscribed terrorist organisation linked to the attack.
The court discharged and acquitted a fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, citing insufficient evidence.
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