By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday granted an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to shield the identities of its witnesses in the ongoing trial of five suspected terrorists linked to the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request after DSS counsel, Calistus Eze, moved the motion ex-parte, which was not opposed by the defendants’ lawyer, Abdullahi Muhammad.
Eze argued that the application was necessary due to threats against the prospective prosecution witnesses.
The defendants standing trial are Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47). They are listed as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
Our correspondent recalls that the June 5, 2022 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 worshippers injured.
The Federal Government has filed a nine-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, against the accused. The charge, dated July 23 and filed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, links the suspects to membership of the Al Shabab terrorist group, allegedly operating a cell in Kogi State.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendants, armed with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and AK-47 rifles, attacked worshippers during the Sunday service, detonated explosives, and held some victims hostage, causing multiple deaths and grievous injuries.
The alleged offences contravene and are punishable under Sections 12(a), 25(1), and 42(a)(ii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other provisions.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
