Court approves DSS bid to shield witnesses in Owo church massacre trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a request by the Department of State Services (DSS) to conceal the identities of witnesses in the trial of five suspects accused of carrying out the 2022 Owo church massacre.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the ex-parte motion filed by DSS counsel, Calistus Eze, on Tuesday. The application, which was not opposed by defence lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad, was said to be necessary due to threats against prosecution witnesses.

The defendants — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — are facing a nine-count terrorism charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.

The charges were filed on July 23 by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, M.B. Abubakar.

They are accused of being members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, operating a cell in Kogi State, and carrying out the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where over 40 worshippers were killed and more than 100 injured.

According to the charges, the suspects detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and opened fire with AK-47 rifles during the attack, causing multiple deaths and grievous bodily harm.

Their alleged offences fall under various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and carry severe penalties if proven.