Federal High Court Orders Remand of Suspected Owo Church Attackers in SSS Custody

• Five suspected terrorists linked to the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja
• The court ordered their remand in State Security Service custody pending trial
• The suspects face nine terrorism-related charges, including murder and grievous harm under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of five individuals accused of orchestrating the deadly terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed over 40 lives and injured more than 100 worshippers on 5 June 2022.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the remand order on Monday following the arraignment of the suspects, who pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Federal Government.

The accused—Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47)—were ordered to be held in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), pending trial.

Read also

“KWAM 1 is prodigal son”: MC Oluomo makes dramatic appeal to Tinubu over ban on singer

Terrorism charges filed under prevention and prohibition act

The prosecution, led by Calistus Eze, informed the court that the case was scheduled for arraignment. Eze explained that the charges, comprising nine counts, were filed on 23 July by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Due to the court’s vacation period, Eze moved an ex-parte application dated 28 July, seeking permission for the charges to be heard. Justice Nwite granted the request, allowing the arraignment to proceed.

The suspects were charged under various sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Among the allegations were:

• Membership of the AL Shabab Terrorist Group since 2021

• Operating a terrorist cell in Kogi State, contrary to Section 25(1)

• Holding planning meetings for the attack on 30 May, 3 June, and 4 June 2022 in Kogi and Ondo States, contrary to Section 12(a)

Read also

Police storm shrine, arrest ritualist making ‘bulletproof’ charms for robbers

• Detonating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on 5 June 2022, resulting in multiple fatalities

• Attacking worshippers with IEDs and AK-47 rifles, causing grievous harm to over 100 individuals, contrary to Section 42(a)(ii)

Defence requests access to suspects

Defence counsel Abdullahi Muhammad did not oppose the prosecution’s application for remand but urged the court to grant the defendants access to their lawyers and relatives.

“The defendants have been in custody since 2022 and we have not had access to them,” Muhammad stated.

In response, Eze clarified that access is permitted if a formal letter is submitted specifying the date and time. He added that the commencement of trial would ensure the defendants are given adequate time and facilities to prepare their defence.

Trial date set for 19 August

Justice Nwite adjourned the case to 19 August for the commencement of trial and reaffirmed the order for the suspects to be held in DSS custody.

Read also

Breaking: NCAA petitions AGF, IGP to prosecute Kwam 1, reason emerges

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Federal Government. The attack on St. Francis Catholic Church remains one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in Nigeria’s recent history.

FG reveals those responsible for Owo church

Legit.ng earlier reported that the federal government says the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) was behind the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, that led to the death of about 38 persons on Sunday, June 5.

The minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this on Thursday, June 9, while briefing State House reporters after a meeting of the National Security Council, Daily Trust reported.

Source: Legit.ng