Court Approves DSS Request to Shield Witnesses in Owo Church Massacre Trial

• DSS obtained court approval to shield witnesses in the Owo church massacre trial, citing threats endangering their safety during proceedings

• Five suspects face terrorism charges for the 2022 attack, involving IEDs and AK-47s, killing over 40 worshippers and injuring more

A federal high court in Abuja has approved the request of the Department of State Services (DSS) to protect its witnesses during the trial of five suspects linked to the Owo church massacre.

The suspects face allegations over the killing of more than 40 worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request on Tuesday after DSS counsel, Calistus Eze, argued the motion. The defense lawyer, Abdullahi Muhammad, did not oppose it.

Eze explained that the decision was necessary because of threats made against potential witnesses. The court agreed, noting the sensitive nature of the case.

The tragic incident happened on June 5, 2022, when armed men attacked worshippers and shot them at close range. Those facing trial include Idris Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

The suspects were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count charge filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation. They were accused of joining the Al-Shabaab terrorist group in 2021 and setting up a cell in Kogi State. This action violates Section 25(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the federal government, the accused met at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA, Kogi, and also at Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo. These meetings reportedly led to the planning of the June 2022 attack.

Prosecutors further alleged that on June 5, the defendants detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with the intent to cause mass casualties. The attack left more than 40 people dead, including Ajanaku John, Onuoha Deborah, and others.

The suspects also allegedly used IEDs and AK-47 rifles to assault worshippers, causing serious injuries to over 100 individuals such as Onileke Ayodele and John Blessing. The act, according to the charge, violates Section 42 (a)(ii) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.