BREAKING: Owo Attack: Court Sentences Four Terrorists to Death, Acquits One

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four terrorists to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, which claimed more than 40 lives and left over 100 worshippers injured.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris guilty of terrorism-related offences brought by the Department of State Services on behalf of the Federal Government.

The court ruled that the prosecution successfully proved beyond reasonable doubt that the four convicts were active participants in the terrorist operation that targeted worshippers during a Pentecost service in Owo, Ondo State.

However, the court discharged and acquitted a fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, after determining that the evidence presented was insufficient to establish his involvement in the attack.

During the trial, prosecutors presented multiple witnesses, confessional statements, forensic reports, and electronic evidence linking the convicted men to the planning and execution of the assault.

The court heard that the attackers used improvised explosive devices and firearms during the operation, causing widespread casualties and destruction inside the church.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the evidence before the court clearly established the guilt of the four defendants and justified their conviction and sentence.

The judgment represents a major legal milestone in the prosecution of those responsible for one of Nigeria’s deadliest attacks on a place of worship and brings a significant measure of accountability for victims and their families.