Judge delivers verdict in Owo church attack trial

A judge is currently delivering a verdict at the Federal High Court in Abuja for five defendants allegedly linked to the 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. The assault, which occurred during a Sunday mass, claimed the lives of around 40 worshippers and left more than 100 injured.

Judge Emeka Nwite began reading his written judgment at approximately 9:18 a.m. The five individuals on trial are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; Abdulhaleem Idris, 25; and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47. They stand in the dock, attentively following the proceedings as the judge reads the nine amended counts against them.

The prosecution, represented by Ayodeji Adedipe, has urged the court to convict the defendants and impose the death penalty, citing the severity of the alleged offense. Conversely, the defense lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad, has requested the discharge and acquittal of his clients, contending that the prosecution has failed to establish its case.

The court proceedings have seen moments of pause, including a brief break for two defendants who reported needing to relieve themselves. The judge also took a short recess. The trial's backstory indicates that judgment was reserved on May 26, following the final submissions from both prosecution and defense teams. The attack itself occurred on June 5, 2022, amidst a period of escalating insecurity across Nigeria.