The Department of State Services (DSS) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to deny bail to five men standing trial over their alleged role in the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which claimed about 40 lives and left more than 100 injured.
In a counter-affidavit opposing the defendants’ bail application, the DSS alleged that the men had ties with foreign terrorist fighters connected to the Al-Shabab group and could abscond if released.
The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47). They were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025, bordering on terrorism.
The DSS told the court:
“There is a very high likelihood of defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to Al-Shabab terrorist group. The defendants’ accomplices are still at large and have been making frantic efforts to monitor their trial, intimidate witnesses and free the defendants from lawful custody.”
It further disclosed that it was investigating leads to track individuals suspected of planning to compromise the trial and intimidate witnesses. According to the agency, prosecution witnesses had expressed fear of attacks from the defendants’ cohorts and had vowed not to attend court sessions unless assured of their safety.
This, the DSS said, necessitated its filing of an ex parte application for witness protection. It argued that granting bail would “not be in the interest of justice and security of prosecution witnesses,” insisting the defendants had failed to present evidence of credible sureties.
Defence lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad, however, urged the court to grant bail, noting that his clients had been in custody since 2022. He maintained that the defendants were prepared to present reliable sureties to guarantee their appearance in court.
Prosecuting counsel, Dr. Calistus Eze, countered the application, stressing that ongoing threats to witnesses made the bail request unmeritorious.
After hearing arguments, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned ruling on the bail application until September 10.
Earlier, Eze informed the court that the DSS had appointed a senior lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), to lead the prosecuting team, but required a fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation to formalise the process. He sought an adjournment to allow for the fiat to be processed.
The defence did not oppose the request or another application by the prosecution seeking protection for its witnesses.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite granted the application for witness protection, allowing the witnesses to testify under hood and veil, with their identities concealed from the public and referenced only by coded alphabets in court records.
