The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused the bail request of five alleged Al-Shabab terrorists accused of attacking a Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which resulted in the deaths of over 40 worshippers.
Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed their bail application, citing that the terrorism charges against them were capital in nature and that the accused persons may intimidate witnesses, influence the trial, or flee if granted bail.
The judge also upheld the Department of State Services’ (DSS) argument that the evidence against the alleged terrorists was strong and that they had failed to provide credible sureties.
The five accused persons – Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar – were charged with various offenses under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including joining and becoming members of a terrorist group, planning and attending meetings to plan terrorist attacks, and causing grievous bodily harm and death during the attack.
The court granted an accelerated trial and fixed October 19 for the commencement of the trial.
