Court Approves Witness Protection In Owo Church Att∆ck Trial
Court Approves Witness Protection In Owo Church Attack Trial
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a request by the Department of State Services (DSS) to conceal the identities of witnesses set to testify in the case involving five men accused of carrying out the Owo church massacre in Ondo State.
The decision was taken on Tuesday after the DSS applied for the measure, citing threats to the safety of its witnesses.
Lawyers representing the defendants did not object to the request. Justice Emeka Nwite then granted the order.
The five suspects — Idris Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; Abdulhaleem Idris, 25; and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47 — are facing trial for their alleged roles in the June 5, 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, which left over 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 others injured.
The Federal Government had earlier filed a nine-count charge against them, accusing the group of detonating explosives and shooting at worshippers during the service.
They were also accused of being members of the Al-Shabab terrorist group, with operations traced to Kogi State.
According to the charges, the actions of the accused contravened several provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including membership of a terrorist group, use of explosives, and causing death and grievous bodily harm.
The case, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, M.B. Abubakar, is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.
The defendants are expected to face trial as the prosecution prepares to present its witnesses under protection.
