DSS To Court: Owo Catholic Church Attackers Linked to Foreign Terrorist Groups
The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja not to grant bail to five men accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, citing their alleged ties to foreign terrorist groups.
In a counter-affidavit opposing the defendants’ bail request, the DSS warned that releasing them could jeopardize national security and compromise the trial process. It also alleged that the suspects’ accomplices—still at large—were actively monitoring proceedings, intimidating witnesses, and plotting to free them from custody.
The defendants, arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025), are: Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47).
According to the DSS, the June 2022 attack claimed the lives of about 40 worshippers and left more than 100 injured. It argued that the gravity of the offences, which attract capital punishment if proven, and the defendants’ alleged connection to foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group, make them high flight risks.
“The prosecution witnesses have expressed fears of attacks by the defendants’ cohorts and have insisted they will not attend court unless adequately protected,” the DSS said, noting that an ex-parte application for witness protection had already been filed.
The prosecution’s lawyer, Dr. Calistus Eze, also opposed the bail request, insisting that threats to witnesses were real and ongoing. He later applied for orders shielding the identity of witnesses, including permission for them to testify under protective measures such as wearing hoods and being identified only by coded alphabets.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the witness protection application.
On the defence side, lawyer Abdullahi Mohammad argued that his clients had been in detention since 2022 and were prepared to provide credible sureties to guarantee their appearance in court.
After hearing arguments, Justice Nwite adjourned ruling on the bail application until September 10.
Earlier, the court was informed that the DSS had transferred the case to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ayodeji Adedipe, who would now lead the prosecuting team once the necessary fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation is secured.
While leaving court, defence counsel Mohammad told journalists that although he had not yet been allowed access to his clients in custody, he had been assured that they were being treated well.
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