Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in the trial of five men accused by the Department of State Services over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church.
Justice Nwite fixed the judgment for a date to be communicated to all parties after hearing final arguments from both the prosecution and defence teams.
The judge informed counsel that the court would notify them once the judgment was ready, adding that the notice could come within 24 hours.
In his final address, prosecution counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), urged the court to convict the defendants and impose the maximum penalty of death, citing what he described as the gravity of the offence.
Adedipe argued that the prosecution had successfully proved its case through extensive investigations and compelling evidence, stressing that the trial reflected the resolve of security agencies to ensure justice for victims of one of Nigeria’s deadliest attacks on worshippers.
Counsel to the defendants, Abdullahi Mohammad, however, asked the court to discharge and acquit his clients, contending that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations against them beyond reasonable doubt.
The defendants standing trial are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.
More than 40 worshippers were killed and several others injured when gunmen attacked St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, during a church service on June 5, 2022.
The attack triggered nationwide outrage and widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians and international observers demanding the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
