The Department of State Services has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five men standing trial over the June 5, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The secret police, in a counter-affidavit to the bail application, said the defendants have ties to foreign terrorist groups and could jeopardise the case if released.
It argued that granting them bail would endanger witnesses, some of whom have already expressed fear of attacks from the suspects’ associates.
The accused persons are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47).
They were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count charge of terrorism filed by the DSS.
The agency noted that the attack left about 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 others injured, stressing that the charges carry capital punishment if proven. “There is a very high likelihood of the defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group,” the DSS said.
It added that accomplices still at large have been monitoring proceedings, with plans to intimidate witnesses and free the suspects.
Defence counsel, Abdullahi Mohammad, however, urged the court to grant bail, insisting that his clients have been in custody since 2022 and are ready to provide credible sureties. But prosecuting lawyer, Dr. Calistus Eze, countered that there are ongoing threats to witnesses, making bail unsafe.
After hearing arguments, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned till September 10 for ruling.
Earlier, the court granted a prosecution request to shield the identities of witnesses, who will testify under protective measures such as veiling and the use of coded identifiers.
Meanwhile, the DSS has handed the case to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ayodeji Adedipe, who is awaiting a fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation to formally take over.
Lawyers Edward Ogar and Vincent Adodo were also in court, holding a watching brief for the Catholic Diocese of Ondo.