A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced to death four out of the five men prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo State.
In a judgment on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that the four – Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris – are to die by hanging, while the fifth, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted on all nine counts contained in the charge.
Justice Nwite, who found that the prosecution proved its case against the four defendants beyond reasonable doubt, held that evidence before the court showed the four convicts belonged to and actively participated in the activities of the Al-Shabab terrorist group, which included the attack on the Owo church.
At trial, the prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 documents, which were admitted in evidence. The five defendants testified for themselves and did not call extra witnesses.
While reviewing the evidence, the judge found that the four convicts joined a proscribed Al-Shabab terrorist group in 2021 through one Odoba.
The judge also found that the convicts held a meeting at the Government High School in Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, where the decision to attack the Owo church was planned.
He equally found that the actual attack against the church was perfected at a location near Owo in Ondo State.
Justice Nwite held that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the four convicts were involved in the Owo church attack in which 40 worshippers were killed and over 100 others were injured.
The judge also held that the evidence against the convicts was credible, cogent, positive, verifiable and compelling to warrant their conviction.
He rejected the convicts’ claim that their statements were made under duress and inducement. The judge held that their signatures and thumbprints on the statements did not support their claim.
Justice Nwite proceeded to sentence the convicts to 20 years each in relation to counts one, two and three, which had to do with the offences of being members of a terrorist group, attending the group’s meetings and conspiracy.
The judge sentenced the four convicts to death by hanging in relation to counts four to nine, relating to offences of hostage taking, possession of dangerous arms, terrorism financing, use of explosive devices in open places, and causing bodily harm to citizens, among others.