Court Denies Bail to Five More Accused of Owo Church Bombing

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to five men charged with carrying out the deadly bombing of St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The suspects — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on August 11, 2025, over their alleged role in the June 5, 2022, attack that killed more than 40 worshippers and injured over 100 others.

Presiding over the case on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed their bail request, stressing that the terrorism charges brought against them were capital in nature. The judge ruled that releasing the accused could compromise the trial, as they were alleged members of a “strong terrorist organization” capable of intimidating witnesses, influencing proceedings, or absconding.

Justice Nwite upheld the arguments presented by the DSS, which maintained that the evidence against the defendants was weighty. Counsel to the DSS, Dr. Callistus Eze, told the court that the gravity of the allegations made the men a serious flight risk. The judge noted that these claims were not challenged by the defense.

The five accused, alleged to be members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist network, will remain in custody as their trial continues.