Court sentences 4 Owo church attackers to death by hanging, acquits one

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced four of the five defendants being prosecuted for their involvement in the 2022 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State, to death by hanging.

Delivering judgement on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Judge Emeka Nwite held that the Department of State Services (DSS) proved the charge against the defendants.

Justice Nwite held that after careful review of the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defence, it was “clear” that the convicted men belonged to a proscribed terrorist group known as “Al-Shabaab.”

The judge, therefore, convicted the first to fourth defendants on count one for belonging to the terrorist group and acquitted the fifth defendant on that count.

On count two, the judge also convicted the first to fourth defendants.

Justice Nwite held that the prosecution’s evidence “remains credible” and was not effectively challenged by the defendants.

On count three, Justice Nwite convicted the defendants as the masterminds of the attack in connection with a meeting held on May 30, 2022, while the judge discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant on that count.

Court reserves judgment in Owo Church attack trial

On counts four and five, the judge also convicted the four defendants, while the fifth defendant was discharged and acquitted.

On count six, where the fifth defendant was charged with financing terrorism in connection with the attack, Justice Nwite said the prosecution did not prove that he financed the attack.

Justice Nwite, therefore, discharged and acquitted the defendant of the counts.

The defendants convicted are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25, while 47-year-old Momoh Otuho Abubakar was exonerated of the charges.

The attack, which occurred on June 5, 2022, left no fewer than 41 worshippers dead while over a 100 others sustained varying degree of injuries.