Court Refuses Bail For Alleged Terrorists Over Owo Church Killings

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has refused a motion for bail brought by five alleged Al-Shabab terrorists, who are accused of attacking a Catholic Church in Owo Town, Ondo State.

The attack led to the death of over 40 worshippers.

The court, in dismissing their bail application, held that the terrorism charges against them were capital in nature.

The judge also held that they were accused of being members of a terrorist organisation, which may intimidate witnesses, influence and jeopardise the trial of the defendants before the court.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite upheld the arguments of the Department of State Services (DSS) that the evidence against the alleged terrorists was strong and could not be glossed over.

Besides, the judge said the DSS’s argument that they will jump bail and run away if allowed to go home was not disputed and deemed to be true.

He also upheld the security agency’s submission that the accused persons did not establish credible sureties who could stand for them pending their trial.

He said the DSS’s arguments that admitting them to bail would amount to judicial risk were also not challenged by their lawyers.

The court held that the defendants failed to give cogent and verifiable reasons why they should be allowed home pending their trial and dismissed the bail request.

He adjourned the case to October 19 for the commencement of the trial.

It will be recalled that their bail application dated August 11, 2025, was argued by their counsel Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim, on August 19, 2025.

The accused persons are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.