Owo Church Attack: Court Denies Suspected Terrorists Bail, Fixes Date For Trial

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday refused the motion for bail brought by five suspected Al-Shabab terrorists over their alleged involvement in the attack of a Catholic Church in Owo town, Ondo State.

The track resulted to the death of over 40 worshippers.

Ruling on the bail application brought by their lawyer, the dismissed the plea, maintaining that the terrorism charges brought against them were capital in nature.

The court also held that they were accused of being members of a strong terrorist organisation who may intimidate witnesses, influence and jeopardise their trial.

In his ruling on their motion for bail, Justice Nwite upheld the arguments of the Department of the State Services (DSS) that the evidence against the defendants was strong and cannot be glossed over.

Besides, the judge held that the argument of the DSS 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 submission of the security agency that the five accused persons did not establish having credible sureties that can stand for them pending their trial.

The court further held that the arguments of the DSS that admitting them to bail would amount to judicial risk was also not challenged by their lawyers.

Nwite therefore held that the defendants failed to give cogent and verifiable reasons on why they should be allowed to go home pending their trial, and subsequently dismissed the bail request.

He then adjourned the case to October 19 for commencement of 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 five accused persons include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.