Court denies Owo attack suspects bail

By Omodele Adigun

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday refused the bail request made by five alleged Al-Shabaab terrorists who allegedly attacked a Catholic Church in Owo town, Ondo State, leading to the death of over 40 worshippers.

The five men were on the 11th of August, 2025 dragged before Justice Emeka Nwite by the Department of State Services (DSS) over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack.

The five persons, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, are to face trial for the attack.

During the hearing of the case, Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the bail application, citing the capital nature of the terrorism charges.

Besides, the judge said that the argument of the DSS that they will jump bail and bolt away if allowed to go home was not disputed and deemed to be true.

Justice Nwite also upheld the submission of the security agency that the five accused persons did not establish having credible sureties that can stand for them pending their trial.

In all, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the defendants failed to give cogent and verifiable reasons on why they should be allowed home pending their trial and subsequently dismissed the bail request.

While granting an accelerated trial, Justice Emeka Nwite fixed October 19 for the commencement of the trial.

The DSS lawyer, Dr. Callistus Eze, had also argued that the men posed a significant flight risk due to the severity of the charges. The judge noted that the defense lawyers did not challenge these claims.