Five suspects accused of masterminding the 2022 bombing of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, have pleaded not guilty to nine counts of terrorism.

 

 

 

The suspects; Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdul Malik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar—were arraigned on Monday before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court. They face charges of membership in the Al-Shabab terrorist group, allegedly operating a cell in Kogi State.

 

 

 

 

Justice Nwite set August 19, 2025, for the commencement of their trial and ordered that the suspects remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

 

 

 

 

The arraignment comes three years after then Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor announced the arrest of those responsible for the attack. The National Security Council had linked the bombing to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

 

 

 

More than 40 worshippers were killed and many injured when armed attackers stormed the church during Sunday mass in 2022. The late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, condemned the attack as a crime against humanity.

 

 

 

Despite the horror, Akeredolu vowed that the people of Ondo would remain resolute in fighting insecurity. He reiterated calls for the establishment of state police, saying, “A single police command cannot guarantee safety in this country. We must have state police now. We are doing our best with Amotekun, but Amotekun is suffering a lot of limitations in getting all the equipment needed to fight these criminals.”