[UPDATED] Court Sentences Four To Death Over Owo Church Attack

In a landmark judgment that marks a significant moment in Nigeria's fight against terrorism, the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in the deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, in June 2022. The attack, which claimed the lives of dozens of worshippers and left many others injured, remains one of the most devastating assaults on a place of worship in Nigeria's recent history.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Wednesday after finding the defendants guilty on multiple terrorism-related charges. The convicted men — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris — were prosecuted on a nine-count charge bordering on terrorism financing, hostage-taking, kidnapping, conspiracy, and the use of explosives that resulted in deaths and injuries.

The court ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction of the four defendants. A fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence linking him directly to the attack.

The attack occurred on June 5, 2022, during a Pentecost Sunday Mass at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. Armed attackers stormed the church while worshippers were gathered for service, opening fire and detonating explosives in a coordinated assault. Children, women, and elderly worshippers were among those killed. Scores of others sustained injuries, overwhelming local hospitals and leaving families shattered across the community.

The massacre shocked Nigerians and attracted widespread condemnation from religious leaders, civil society groups, and the international community. Many described the attack as an assault on humanity and religious freedom.

Beyond the death sentence, Justice Nwite also imposed life imprisonment on the convicts for their membership in a terrorist organization. Furthermore, each of the defendants received an additional 20-year prison sentence for conspiracy-related offences. Although these sentences are largely symbolic given the death penalty verdict, they underscore the severity of the crimes committed.

The defendants had maintained their innocence throughout the trial and pleaded not guilty when they were first arraigned before the court in 2025. The trial involved extensive investigations and testimonies from multiple witnesses presented by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The journey to Wednesday's verdict was lengthy and complex. Security agencies conducted extensive investigations following the attack, leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. During the proceedings, the court admitted confessional statements made by some of the defendants after rejecting objections from the defence regarding the admissibility of those statements.

In its final arguments before judgment, the prosecution urged the court to impose the maximum penalty available under the law, citing the magnitude of the tragedy and the need for justice for the victims and their families. Defence counsel, however, argued that the prosecution had failed to establish its case and requested the acquittal of the accused persons.

The judgment is widely viewed as a critical test of Nigeria's ability to prosecute terrorism-related offences successfully. The country continues to face numerous security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, and extremist violence in various regions. Analysts believe the ruling sends a strong message that acts of terrorism will be met with firm legal consequences.

Court documents alleged that the convicted men were associated with a terrorist network and had plotted attacks on other locations. However, questions surrounding the broader organization responsible for the Owo massacre have remained a subject of debate. While authorities initially suspected extremist groups, no major terrorist organization officially claimed responsibility for the attack.

For the survivors and families of those who lost loved ones, the verdict represents a measure of justice after nearly four years of grief, pain, and uncertainty. Though no judgment can reverse the devastating losses suffered by the victims, many hope the ruling will provide some closure and reinforce confidence in the justice system.

As Nigeria continues its efforts to combat terrorism and insecurity, the Owo church case will likely remain a significant reference point in the country's legal and security history—a reminder of both the tragic cost of violent extremism and the importance of accountability under the law.