JUST IN: Owo church attack: Court sentences four convicts to death by hanging

Published

June 3, 2026

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four of the five defendants convicted for their involvement in the 2022 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State, to death by hanging.

Judge Emeka Nwite, in a judgment , held that the Department of State Services (DSS), the prosecution in the trial, had been able to prove the charge against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendants were convicted on a nine-count charge preferred against them by the DSS.

The four convicts are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26 and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25.

Justice Nwite, who held that evidence presented had proven that the four men perpetrated the act, however acquitted the 5th defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, of the charge.

NAN reports that no fewer than 41 worshippers were killed and over 100 others injured during the terror attack that occurred on June 5, 2022 Sunday mass.

Delivering the judgment , Justice Nwite, reviewed the evidence presented by the DSS and defence.

“The prosecution has successfully established the nine-count charge against the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants beyond reasonable doubt,” he ruled.

The judge, therefore, convicted Omeiza, Idris, Abdulmalik and Idris, and discharged and acquitted Abubakar, the oldest among them, of all nine counts.

On count one, which accused the defendants of belonging to a proscribed terrorist group known as Al-Shabaab, the judge reviewed the evidence presented by one of the DSS investigators identified as SSI.

He held the witness testified that the four defendants belonged to an extremist group operating in parts of Kogi and Ondo State under the coordination of one “Adoba.”

The judge said the evidence of the prosecution witness was not shaken, while the confessional statements of the convicts corroborated the prosecution’s case.

“From the foregoing, it is clear as day that the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants belong to a proscribed terrorist group, Al-Shabaab,” he ruled.

On count two, which accused the defendants of attending meetings where the Owo church attack was allegedly planned, the judge said the prosecution alleged that meetings were held on “30th May, 1st June, and 4th June, 2022 at Government Secondary School, Ogaminana, Kogi, and at a local mosque where the 2nd defendant’s father served as chief imam.”

He observed that the prosecution alleged that the meetings were organised to plan the attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo.

“The evidence by the prosecution witness was neither shaken nor discredited under cross examination,” the judge said.

He added that it was corroborated “by the confessional statements of Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris.”

While Abubakar denied attending any meeting connected to the attack, the judge held that the prosecution failed to link Abubakar to the meetings.

On count three, which bordered on conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, the judge reviewed the law and judicial authorities.

He held:”court can infer conspiracy from the acts of the defendants towards the commission of the offence.”

The court also relied on forensic evidence tendered by the prosecution.

Justice Nwite said the evidence showed direct communication among the defendants within months leading to the attack.

“The inference to be drawn from the evidence before the court is that the 1st to 4th defendant conspired with Adoba and others,” he said.

He held that the prosecution evidence remained unshaken during cross examination.

He, however, said Abubakar was not linked to the conspiracy.

On counts four and five, which bordered on hostage taking, kidnapping, hijacking, and possession of dangerous weapons, the judge juxtaposed the act with law.

He reviewed provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act relating to seizure of facilities, threats to life and hostage taking resulting in death.

He said evidence before the court showed that worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church were attacked during service, leading to the death of more than 41 persons and injuries to over 100 others.

The judge relied on testimonies of victims and other prosecution witnesses and noted that “The evidence by the prosecution witnesses was neither shaken nor discredited.”

He said this was contrary to the case of Abubakar who was not linked to the actual attack on the church.

On count six, which bordered on terrorism financing and possession and use of dangerous weapons, the judge reviewed evidence against Abubakar separately from the others.

The prosecution had alleged that Abubakar acted as a financial channel for the group and distributed funds before the attack through his point of sale terminals.

Justice Nwite noted that a DSS witness identified as SSI, told the court that about N800,000 moved through accounts linked to Abubakar weeks before the incident.

The prosecution also alleged that Abubakar maintained communication with members of the group during the period.

However, Abubakar denied the allegations.

Nut the judge held that the prosecution failed to establish the terrorism financing allegation against Abubakar beyond reasonable doubt.

He, therefore, discharged and acquitted him on count six.

The judge, however, held that the prosecution proved the count six case against the four convicts.

The judge, thereafter, considered counts seven to nine together, describing them as similar in nature.

Nwite, who said the counts bordered on the use and detonation of explosives at a public place resulting in death, grievous bodily harm and destruction, said the DSS was able to prove that the explosions caused deaths, injuries and destruction within the church premises.

He held that the confessional statements tendered by the prosecutiin were valid and voluntarily made.

He rejected claims that they were written and forced on the defendants by the DSS operatives.

He noted that the statements were signed, thumb-printed and not challenged in court.

He described the forensic digital evidence and call records showing repeated communication between key defendants before and after the attack as strong circumstantial evidence forming a chain of guilt.

The judge held that eyewitnesses and investigators gave consistent evidence that remained unshaken under cross examination.

Having found the four men guilty of the nine counts, the judge imposed life imprisonment on count one.

On count two and three, he imposed a 20-year imprisonment without option of fine.

The judge also imposed death sentences on counts four, five, six, seven, eight and nine and ordered that the convicts be “hanged by the neck until death.”

“May the Lord have mercy on your souls,” Justice Nwite said.(NAN)

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Govt. vows to get justice for teenage Girl allegedly raped by eight men

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

olalekan

Govt. vows to get justice for teenage Girl allegedly raped by eight men

The Anambra Government has vowed to get justice for a 16-year old girl (name withheld) over alleged sexual molestation by eight men including her guardian.
The incident occurred in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, made this known during an interaction with newsmen on Thursday in Awka.
“The teenager, who was severely raped by these men is now two months pregnant, according to medical report presented by a concerned priest from Nawfia, who reported the case.
“Therefore, the ministry must stand for this helpless girl,” she said.
Onyekesi decried a situation where adults who are supposed to protect young people take advantage of them, especially to the level of sexual molestation and exploitation.
She assured the safety of the girl and encouraged men to protect women, especially young girls rather than take advantage of them, in order to build a better society.
According to the teenager brought to the office of the commissioner, her guardian forces himself on her every night and later other men join in the act.
She said that with the help of a good samaritan, she was rescued a week ago from the abuse and brought to the ministry.
Asked about the wife of her guardian, she said the wife was sick with stroke, while her sons and daughters were all grown and some married.
She informed the commissioner that the police had arrested two persons out of the eight suspects that allegedly molested her.
She said that the case was before the Nawfia police station. (NAN)

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I accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opens up

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

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Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has opened up on the circumstances that led him to join forces with Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision was largely driven by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor.

Speaking during an interview with Symphoni, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that Obi had unsuccessfully approached three prominent politicians to be his running mate before eventually turning to him.

According to the former senator, he would have welcomed any of the politicians accepting Obi’s offer, but their refusal left him concerned about both Obi’s political prospects and the state of the country.

Reflecting on their partnership, Baba-Ahmed said, “I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship.”

He explained that Obi’s search for a vice-presidential candidate in 2022 was marked by repeated setbacks, a development he said deeply affected him.

“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He maintained that his decision to join the Labour Party ticket was voluntary and based on personal conviction rather than political calculation.

“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he added.

The Obi-Baba-Ahmed ticket emerged as one of the most closely followed political movements during the 2023 elections, attracting significant support across different parts of the country.

However, the relationship between the two politicians has since been overshadowed by differences over political strategy and party affiliation.

Baba-Ahmed criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its prolonged leadership crisis, arguing that internal disputes are common across political organisations and should be resolved rather than avoided.

Questioning Obi’s decision to seek political alternatives, he said: “If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?”

He further argued that every political platform faces similar challenges.

“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also dismissed suggestions that his political relevance was tied to Obi, stressing that he remains politically independent.

“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he stated.

Following the 2023 elections, Baba-Ahmed aligned himself with the Peoples Redemption Party, while Obi has continued his political activities through new political associations after leaving the Labour Party.

News

accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opes up

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2026

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