COURT REFUSES BAIL TO 5 'AL-SHABAB' TERRORISTS LINKED TO 2022 OWO CHURCH ATTACK

The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied bail to five suspected members of the Al-Shabab in Nigeria, accused of masterminding the terror attack on a church in Owo, Ondo State, over three years ago.

The attack on worshippers at the Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo on June 5, 2022, claimed the lives of more than forty persons.

The accused persons are IDRIS ABDULMALIK OMEIZA, AL QASIM IDRIS, JAMIU ABDULMALIK, ABDULHALEEM IDRIS, and MOMOH OTUHO ABUBAKAR.

The Department of State Services, DSS, arraigned the accused persons before Justice EMEKA NWITE on August 11, 2025.

During the hearing of the case, Justice EMEKA NWITE dismissed the bail application of the accused persons, citing the capital nature of the terrorism charges against them.

Justice NWITE also cited the likelihood of the accused persons as members of a strong terrorist organization, to intimidate witnesses, influence the trial, or jump bail.