BLESSING OMALE, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail to five men standing trial over the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 others injured.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite upheld the prosecution’s argument that releasing the suspects would jeopardize the trial, noting that evidence presented by the Federal Government suggested the defendants had links with foreign fighters and posed a potential flight risk.
The suspects, Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count charge of terrorism, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.
Justice Nwite highlighted procedural flaws in the bail application, stating that although the defendants were jointly charged, each was required to file a separate affidavit.
Instead, a single joint affidavit was submitted, which the court described as defective.
Citing Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the judge explained that bail can be denied if there are valid concerns that the defendants could commit another offense, evade trial, tamper with evidence, or obstruct the judicial process.
He further stressed that the gravity of the alleged crime, the strength of the prosecution’s case, and the potential death penalty upon conviction weighed heavily against granting bail.
The prosecution argued that granting bail to the suspects could compromise the case, especially as some accomplices remain at large and may attempt to influence proceedings.
It also raised concerns about witness safety, disclosing that some witnesses had already expressed fear of intimidation.
The court also found that the defendants failed to present credible sureties to guarantee their appearance in court.
Defence counsel, Abdullahi Muhammad, had urged the court to consider the nearly three-year detention of the defendants, insisting they had no prior criminal records and were willing to abide by court proceedings.
He argued that bail’s primary purpose is to ensure attendance in court and proposed that his clients could provide reliable sureties if released on liberal terms.
While reaffirming the constitutional presumption of innocence, Justice Nwite maintained that the safety of the public and the integrity of the trial process must take precedence.
He therefore dismissed the bail application and adjourned the matter until October 16 for trial.
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