Court Refuses Bail for Suspected Owo Church Attackers

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused bail for five men accused of carrying out the attack on a Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed the lives of more than 40 worshippers.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who gave the ruling on Wednesday, said the terrorism charges against the defendants were too serious to grant them bail. He agreed with the Department of State Services (DSS) that the suspects could intimidate witnesses or disrupt the trial if released.

The Judge also noted that the DSS had presented strong evidence against the defendants and warned that they might escape if allowed to go home. According to him, the accused persons also failed to provide reliable sureties to guarantee their presence in court.

Justice Nwite ruled that admitting the suspects to bail would pose a “judicial risk” and dismissed their request.

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The case has been adjourned until October 19, 2025, for the start of trial.

The bail application, filed on August 11 by their lawyer, Abdullahi Awwal Ibrahim, was argued on August 19 before Wednesday’s decision.

Those facing trial are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.