A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to shield witnesses in the ongoing trial of five suspects linked to the June 5, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where over 40 worshippers were killed.
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request on Tuesday after DSS counsel, Calistus Eze, argued that protecting witnesses was necessary given threats to their safety. The motion was not opposed by the defence, led by Abdullahi Muhammad.
The suspects — Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were arraigned on August 11, 2022, on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the federal government, the defendants and others still at large were members of the extremist group Al-Shabaab, operating a terror cell in Kogi State.
They allegedly held planning meetings at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana (Adavi LGA, Kogi State) and near Omialafa Central Mosque (Ose LGA, Ondo State) in 2022 before launching the Owo attack.
Prosecutors said that on June 5, 2022, the defendants, armed with AK-47 rifles and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), stormed the church, detonated explosives, and opened fire on worshippers, killing more than 40 people and injuring over 100 others.
Victims named in the charge include Ajanaku John, Onuoha Deborah, Onileke Esther, and John Bosede, among others.
The alleged offences contravene Sections 25(1) and 42(a)(ii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which prescribe severe penalties for terrorism, hostage-taking, and mass-casualty attacks.
The trial is expected to continue with protected witnesses once the DSS presents its evidence before the court.
