Five individuals accused of masterminding the 2022 bombing of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, pleaded not guilty to nine counts of terrorism brought against them by the Federal Government.
The defendants – Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdul Malik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar – appeared on Monday before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court. Prosecutors allege they are members of the Al-Shabab terrorist group, operating a cell in Kogi State.
Justice Nwite scheduled the trial to begin on August 19, 2025 and ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to hold the suspects in custody.
Their arraignment comes three years after the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, announced that the attackers had been apprehended. The National Security Council had linked the assault to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
More than 40 worshippers died, and many sustained injuries when gunmen stormed the church during Sunday mass and opened fire. The then Governor of Ondo State, the late Rotimi Akeredolu, condemned the atrocity as a crime against humanity.
Although he described the attack as horrific, Akeredolu insisted it would not break the spirit of the state’s people in their fight against insecurity. He renewed calls for state police, arguing that a single police command could not ensure nationwide safety. He emphasised that, despite the efforts of the Amotekun security outfit, the group faced serious limitations in acquiring the necessary equipment to combat criminals effectively.