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DSS Informs Court That Owo Catholic Church Attackers Had Connections With Foreign Terrorist
The Department of State Services (DSS) has cautioned a Federal High Court in Abuja against granting bail to the five men being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack at St. Francs Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in view of their alleged link with foreign terrorist groups.
The DSS, in a counter-affidavit to the defendants’ bail application, also raised concern about their capacity to interfere with prosecution’s witnesses if granted bail in view their alleged antecedent and propensity for violence.
The five were Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25 years), Al Qasim Idris 20 years), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26 years), Abdulhaleem Idris (25 years) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47 years).
They were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 filed by the DSS).
In the counter-affidavit, the DSS stated that the offences for which the defendants were standing trial were very serious, with capital punishment if convicted.
It added that the defendants were standing trial for acts of terrorism, which led to the death of about 40 persons and caused grievous injury to over 100 worshipers at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State on 5th June, 2022.
“There is very high likelihood of defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to Al-Shabab terrorist group.
“The defendants’ accomplices are still at large and have been making frantic efforts to monitor their trial, intimidate witnesses and free the defendants from lawful custody,” it stated.
The DSS disclosed that it was “currently investigating the leads with a view to apprehending those individuals, planning to intimidate witnesses and compromise the trial in the interest of the applicants.
“The prosecution witnesses have expressed fears of attacks by defendants’ cohorts and have stated that they will not attend court sessions except their fears were allayed.
“This necessitated the filing of an ex-parte application for witness protection.
“The prosecution has demonstrated readiness for speedy trial of the substantive charge. That defendants have not presented any evidence to show that they have credible sureties.
“It will not be in the interest of justice and security of prosecution witnesses to grant the application for bail,” the DSS said.
Defence lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad had, while moving the bail application on Tuesday, noted that his client’s had been in custody since they were arrested in 2022.
Mohammad said his clients were ready to present credible and reliable sureties to demonstrate their willingness to stand trial.
Prosecuting lawyer, Dr. Calistus Eze, urged the court to reject the bail application for being unmeritorious.
Eze stated that there were ongoing threats to would be witnesses of the prosecution, which the defence lawyer was aware of.
After taking arguments from both lawyers, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned till September 10 for ruling on the bail application.
Earlier at the commencement of proceedings, Eze told the court that although the case was scheduled for Tuesday for the prosecution to open its case, it would not be able to proceed because the DSS has handed the case to a senior lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN to lead the prosecuting team.
Eze prayed the court for an adjournment to a later date before which the DSS would have processed the necessary fiat from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to enable Adedipe to fully take over the handling of the case.
Mohammad did not object to Eze’s request for an adjournment. He also did not object to another application by Eze, seeking the protection of the identity and other personal particulars of the prosecution’s witnesses.
In the application, the prosecution prayed the court to issue an order to protect the identity and other personal particulars of the prosecution witnesses and an order allowing the prosecution witnesses to testify while hooded and veiled off from the view of all other individuals except the counsel on both sides.
The prosecution also urged the court to issue an order to prevent the mentioning of the real names of prosecution’s witnesses in its orders, judgments or records which are accessible to the public, and an order allowing witnesses should be identified with a combination of some alphabets.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite granted the application.
While exiting the court, Mohammed told journalists that although he has not had the opportunity to see his clients in custody, he was told by them that they were well attended to.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 13 people have been killed during morning prayers in Mantau community, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, confirmed the death of the worshipers in a statement on Tuesday.
Mu’azu, who did not mention the date of the incident, said it occurred when the criminal elements launched a reprisal attack on the community.
“The Katsina State Government today announced immediate security reinforcements and support measures following a tragic incident in the Unguwan Mantau community, Malumfashi Local Government Area, where 13 residents lost their lives during morning prayers.
“The Muslim members of the community were praying in the mosque during the Fajr prayer when the criminal element started shooting sporadically in the mosque.
“The attack was in retaliation for the community’s successful defence efforts two days earlier. The people of Unguwan Mantau decided to lay an ambush against the bandits and killed many of them.
“They rescued victims taken from Ruwan Sanyi village, seized 3 motorcycles, and 2 AK 47. The security agencies are now on the ground in Unguwan Muntau to restore normalcy.”
He, however, said the air component commander of the Forward Operating Base, Nigerian Army, and Nigerian Police Force had been deployed to “clear those bandits because during the rainy season, bandits hide under the crops to perpetrate their evil acts.”
While reiterating the state government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating criminal elements from the state, Mu’azu said “We are working towards bringing the bandits to book.
“As Government, we salute the gallantry disposition of the people of unguwar Mantau, and we are committed to fighting these bandits and ensuring safety across our communities.
“The State Government extends heartfelt condolences to the families affected and reaffirms its unwavering support for community-based security initiatives while working to eliminate criminal elements from the region.”
Michael Olugbode, Linus Aleke, James Sowole and Francis Sardauna
