The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced four members of the Al-Shabaab to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 injured.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Wednesday, June 3, after finding the defendants guilty of terrorism-related offences filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.
The convicted persons are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), and Abdulhaleem Idris (25). They were found guilty on a nine-count charge bordering on terrorism.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted a fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), after ruling that there was insufficient evidence linking him to the deadly attack.
Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that the convicts were active members of a terrorist cell responsible for the assault.
According to the court, the convicts belonged to an Al-Shabaab cell operating in Kogi State and took part in the coordinated attack during a Pentecost service at the church.
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The attackers reportedly stormed the worship centre, held congregants hostage, and unleashed violence that resulted in mass casualties and widespread destruction.
They were also said to have used improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles in executing the assault, which authorities described as driven by extremist ideology.
During the trial, the prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits, including confessional statements and a digital forensic report linked to the suspects.
Among the evidence presented was a technophone device allegedly containing communications between the defendants before and after the attack.
A Catholic priest who survived the incident testified as one of the prosecution witnesses, giving a harrowing account of how at least three explosive devices were detonated inside the church, causing panic and heavy bloodshed.
Justice Nwite ruled that the weight of evidence clearly connected the four convicts to the attack, justifying their conviction and death sentences for terrorism.