The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in the case involving five men charged over the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed 41 lives and left more than 140 others injured.
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter for judgment after both sides adopted their final written addresses, saying parties would be informed once the decision is ready.
In his closing arguments, counsel to the Department of State Services, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), urged the court to hand the defendants the maximum punishment of death if found guilty, citing the severity of the alleged offence.
The defence, led by Abdullahi Mohammad, argued that the prosecution failed to prove its allegations and asked the court to acquit the accused persons.
The defendants Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar have been on trial since August 2025.
During the proceedings, the DSS presented 11 witnesses and tendered confessional statements from the suspects, which were admitted after the court determined they had been voluntarily made.
The security agency had earlier secured an accelerated hearing of the case.
