Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday contested a bail application submitted by five individuals accused of perpetrating the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed numerous lives on June 5, 2022.
The DSS argued that the defendants face charges related to terrorism, resulting in at least 40 fatalities and severe injuries to over 100 worshippers.
Representing the DSS, Calistus Eze informed Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, responding to a bail plea presented by the defendants’ counsel, Abdullahi Muhammad.
Eze revealed that the defendants’ associates, still at large, have been actively monitoring the trial, attempting to intimidate witnesses and secure the release of the accused from custody.
In a counter affidavit, he noted that the DSS is investigating leads to apprehend those allegedly planning to disrupt the trial and threaten witnesses.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspects are Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47), listed as the 1st to 5th defendants, respectively.
They were charged on August 11 with nine counts of terrorism under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.
Eze expressed concerns that granting bail could enable the defendants to interfere with prosecution witnesses, citing their alleged history of violence.
He highlighted that witnesses have voiced fears of reprisals from the defendants’ associates and are reluctant to testify unless their safety is assured, prompting an ex-parte application for witness protection.
He further noted the gravity of the charges, which carry the possibility of capital punishment upon conviction, and raised alarms about the defendants’ potential to evade trial due to alleged ties with foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group.
Eze also argued that the defendants failed to provide evidence of credible sureties and emphasized the DSS’s readiness for a prompt trial, asserting that granting bail would jeopardize justice and witness safety.
In response, Muhammad, the defense counsel, argued that his clients, detained since their 2022 arrests, were prepared to provide reliable sureties to ensure their attendance at trial.
Justice Nwite adjourned the bail ruling to September 10 after hearing both sides.
Earlier, Eze informed the court that the case was set for trial commencement but requested an adjournment to allow the DSS to finalize a fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation’s office for a new lead prosecutor, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN.
Additionally, Eze moved an ex-parte motion to protect prosecution witnesses due to reported threats, which Muhammad did not oppose. Justice Nwite granted the motion.
NAN reported that Edward Ogar and Vincent Adodo, representing the Catholic Diocese of Ondo (the nominal complainant), were present to observe the proceedings.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Muhammad noted that, although he had not visited his clients in custody, they informed him they were being well treated.
