Story perspectives

Nigeria Judges Sentence Four to Death Over 41-Dead Church Attack

6/3/2026

Summary

Court Sentences Deaths

Nigeria Federal High Court sentenced Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris to death by hanging for the June 2022 St Francis Catholic Church attack in Owo.
Justice Emeka Nwite convicted them on nine counts, including terrorism, hostage-taking and explosives.
Each received a 20-year term for terrorist-organization membership and a life sentence for affiliation.
The attack killed 41 worshippers, injured more than 100, and caused Momoh Otuho Abubakar’s acquittal.

Summary

Al-Shabab Massacre

The June 5, 2022 assault on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State killed at least 50 worshippers, including children.
Prosecution said the gunmen belonged to an al-Shabab cell based in Kogi State, about 200 km from Abuja.
In April 2026, a four-day mass trial sentenced over 300 terrorism suspects.
Hospitals reported being overwhelmed by the influx of wounded, straining local medical capacity.

Summary

Judge Discharges

The trial judge discharged the fifth defendant because the prosecution could not prove the case.
The Department of State Services arraigned five suspects on 11 August 2025, first appearance since the June 2022 Owo church attack.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the defendants to remain in DSS custody while the trial proceeded.
Momoh Otuho Abubakar testified that the 800,000 naira he transferred came from his cooperative society and farming business, not to fund the attack.

Summary

Prosecutor Demands Death

On June 3, 2026, DSS operatives, police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were deployed around the Abuja Federal High Court for the sentencing of five men.
Lead prosecutor Senior Advocate Ayodeji Adedipe urged the judge to impose the maximum death penalty.
Defense lawyer Abdullahi Mohammad argued the evidence was insufficient and sought acquittal of all five defendants.

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Court Sentences Deaths

Nigeria Federal High Court sentenced Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris to death by hanging for the June 2022 St Francis Catholic Church attack in Owo.
Justice Emeka Nwite convicted them on nine counts, including terrorism, hostage-taking and explosives.
Each received a 20-year term for terrorist-organization membership and a life sentence for affiliation.
The attack killed 41 worshippers, injured more than 100, and caused Momoh Otuho Abubakar’s acquittal.

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