THE Federal High Court, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced four members of an Al-Shabaab terrorist cell to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church,Owo, Ondo State.
The defendants; Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25, Al Qasim Idris 20, Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26 and Abdulhaleem Idris,25, were found guilty on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.
The fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar,47, was discharged and acquitted for want of evidence linking him to the attack.
Delivering judgment on yesterday, trial Justice,Emeka Nwite held that the prosecution proved its case against the four convicted defendants beyond reasonable doubt, and that evidence before the court established that they belonged to and actively participated in the activities of the proscribed terrorist group, including the church attack.
The court convicted the first to fourth defendants on count one for belonging to a proscribed terrorist organisation and discharged the fifth defendant on the same count.
On count two, the court convicted the first, third, and fourth defendants, with Justice Nwite noting that the prosecution’s evidence “remains credible” and was not effectively challenged.
On count three, the court found the first to fourth defendants guilty as masterminds of the attack, linking their culpability to a planning meeting held on May 30, 2022. The fifth defendant was discharged and acquitted on that count.
The court also convicted the first to fourth defendants on counts four and five, while discharging and acquitting the fifth defendant on both counts.
On count six, which charged the fifth defendant primarily with financing terrorism in connection with the attack, the court held that the prosecution “did not prove that he financed the attack” and accordingly discharged and acquitted him.
The attack, carried out while worshippers celebrated Pentecost Sunday, killed more than 40 people and left over 100 others with serious injuries.
The court was told that the defendants, who operated as principal members of an Al-Shabaab cell in Kogi State, stormed the church armed with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and AK-47 rifles, held worshippers hostage, and caused extensive destruction in furtherance of their religious ideology.
To prove its case, the prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits, including confessional statements, a digital forensic examination report, and a mobile phone alleged to contain communications exchanged by the defendants before and after the attack. A Catholic priest was among those who testified, giving a harrowing account of how the assailants detonated at least three explosives inside the church.
In his final address, prosecution counsel Ayodeji Adedipe(SAN), urged the court to impose the maximum penalty of death, citing the gravity of the offence.
Defence counsel Abdullahi Mohammad had urged the court to discharge and acquit all defendants, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish its case.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has praised the judiciary and security agencies for the sentencing of the four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
The governor described the court verdict as a victory for justice, the rule of law, and for all victims of the heinous attack that claimed the lives of innocent worshippers and left many others injured.
Aiyedatiwa noted that the diligence of the prosecution team, the thoroughness of investigators, and the courage of the judiciary had shown that government would not tolerate acts of terror or violence against its people.
“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, he said.
He also appreciated the resilience of the people of Owo and the Catholic community who, despite the trauma, remained steadfast and committed to peace.
The governor reassured residents that his administration would continue to work closely with security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, protect public spaces, and ensure such a tragedy did not repeat itself in the state.
“While nothing can bring back the lives lost, this judgment provides a measure of closure and hope that justice is possible,” he added.
He later prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and for God’s comfort for the families they left behind.
