DSS Opposes Owo Church Attack Suspects Bail Application

THE Department of State Service (DSS), on Tuesday, August 19, opposed the bail application filed by the five suspected terrorists who attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo State, which claimed the lives of at least 40 persons and caused grievous injury to over 100 worshippers on June 5, 2022.
DSS Counsel, Calistus Eze, told Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in response to a bail application filed by the defendants’ Counsel, Abdullahi Muhammad, that the defendants’ accomplices were still at large and had been making frantic efforts to monitor their trial, intimidate witnesses and free them (defendants) from lawful custody.
Eze, in the counter affidavit, said the “DSS is currently investigating the leads with a view to apprehending those individuals planning to intimidate witnesses and compromise the trial in the interest of the applicants.”
The suspects- Idris Omeiza, 25 years; Al Qasim Idris, 20 years; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26 years; Abdulhaleem Idris, 25 years and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47 years- 1st to 5th defendants, respectively, were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism, in charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.
Eze raised concern about the capacity of the suspects to interfere with prosecution’s witnesses if granted bail, in view of their alleged antecedent and propensity for violence.
He stated: “The prosecution witnesses have expressed fears of attacks by defendants’ cohorts and have stated that they will not attend court sessions except their fears were allayed.
“This necessitated the filing of an ex-parte application for witness protection.”
Eze stressed that the offences for which the defendants are standing trial are very serious, with capital punishment if convicted, adding: “There is very high likelihood of defendants evading trial, in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to Al-Shabab terrorist group.”
He noted that the prosecution had demonstrated readiness for speedy trial of the substantive charge, arguing that the defendants had not presented any evidence to show that they had credible sureties; hence: “It will not be in the interest of justice and security of prosecution witnesses to grant the application for bail.”
The defence Counsel had, while moving the bail application, said his clients had been in custody since they were arrested in 2022 and were ready to present credible and reliable sureties to demonstrate their willingness to stand trial.
After taking both arguments, Justice Nwite adjourned the ruling untill September 10.
Earlier, Eze informed the court that the matter was scheduled for commencement of trial, and that the DSS had briefed a new lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), to lead the prosecuting team.
He, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the Service process the necessary fiat from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for Adedipe to fully take over the handling of the case.
He also moved an ex-parte motion for an order allowing the DSS to protect its witnesses while giving their testimony in view of the threat being received by them.
Eze’s request for an adjournment and application for shielding of the witnesses was not opposed byMuhammad.
Consequently, Justice Nwite, in a brief ruling, granted the application.