DSS Seeks Death Penalty in Owo Church Attack Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in the trial of five men charged with involvement in the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The accused—Idri Omeiza, Al Qasim Idri, Jamiu Abdulmalik Abdulhaleem, and Idri Momoh Abubakar—are facing nine counts of terrorism. Justice Emeka Nwite presided over the case, where the prosecution, represented by Ayodeji Adedipe SAN, urged the court to impose the maximum sentence of death due to the severity of the alleged crimes, which resulted in the deaths of 41 worshippers and injuries to 140 others.

The defense lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad, argued for the discharge and acquittal of his clients, claiming the prosecution failed to establish its case. The trial began on August 1, 2025, and the court has admitted confession statements from the defendants, which were reportedly given voluntarily to the DSS.

The court will notify parties once the judgment is ready.