Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court of Nigeria has
reserved judgment in the trial of five men accused of participating in the 2022
terrorist attack on St Francis Catholic Church.
The defendants are facing prosecution by the
Department of State Services (DSS) over the deadly June 5, 2022 assault on
worshippers in Owo, which left dozens dead and many others injured.
Justice Nwite stated that the court would communicate
the judgment date to both the prosecution and defence teams, noting that
parties could receive official notice within 24 hours.
During final arguments, prosecution counsel Ayodeji
Adedipe urged the court to convict the accused persons and impose the maximum
punishment of death. He argued that the evidence presented before the court
clearly established the defendants’ involvement in the attack.
Adedipe said security agencies conducted extensive
investigations to uncover those responsible for what remains one of the
deadliest attacks on worshippers in Nigeria’s recent history, adding that the
prosecution was part of efforts to ensure justice and accountability.
However, defence counsel Abdullahi Mohammad asked the
court to acquit the defendants, insisting that the prosecution failed to
provide sufficient evidence linking them to the crime.
The accused persons standing trial are Idris
Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and
Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
The June 2022 massacre shocked the nation after gunmen
invaded a church service at St Francis Catholic Church, killing more than 40
worshippers and injuring several others. The incident sparked widespread
outrage across Nigeria and drew international condemnation, with strong demands
for those behind the attack to be brought to justice.
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