By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday fixed March 4 and 5, 2026, for five alleged Al-Shabab members to open their defence over the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, after the prosecution closed its case before Justice Emeka Nwite.
Court Adjourns for Defence in Owo Church Attack Trial
The trial is before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case after the prosecution presented its 11th witness.
The defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47).
They face a nine-count terrorism charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025. The Department of State Services filed the charge on behalf of the Federal Government.
Prosecutors allege the men belong to an Al-Shabab cell based in Kogi State. They allegedly attacked worshippers with improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles.
The June 5, 2022 attack occurred during Pentecost Sunday service in Owo, Ondo State. It left over 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 injured.
DSS Presents Digital Forensic Evidence
At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, led the 11th witness, identified as “SSK,” in evidence.
The witness, a senior DSS operative and Digital Forensic Lead, told the court that the DSS Director-General mandated his team to track the attackers.
According to him, investigators deployed advanced digital tools. They filtered thousands of mobile phones that connected to cell towers in Owaluwa, Elegbeka and Ifon.
Consequently, the team narrowed the search to a phone number linked to the first defendant, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza.
He explained that the system revealed the phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity. The IMEI serves as a unique digital fingerprint for every mobile device.
Phone Tracking and Communication Analysis
The witness said cell tower data placed the first defendant’s phone within a 35-kilometre radius of the church at about 7:23 a.m. on the attack day.
He described the phone as a “silent witness.” The movement between cell towers showed the defendant’s location before and during the attack.
Analysis of June 3 and 4, 2022 placed the phone within the Elegbeka and Ifon axis. Shortly after the attack, the phone moved towards Ifon.
Although the first defendant reportedly applied a “no phone call rule,” the phone remained active. This activity helped investigators trace and arrest him.
Furthermore, the team conducted a frequency of communication analysis. The review showed that the first, second and third defendants exchanged several calls before and after the incident.
According to the witness, the communication pattern established a relationship among them. He added that their arrest did not happen by chance.
Arrests and Admitted Exhibits
The witness said investigations lasted over a month. Security operatives arrested all five defendants in August 2022 in Kogi and Ondo states.
He told the court that the first defendant’s arrest and confession led to the arrest of the others.
The court admitted the defendants’ confessional statements in evidence. It also admitted a Digital Forensic Examination Report and a Tecno mobile phone recovered from the first defendant.
Defence counsel, Abdullahi Mohammed, did not object to the exhibits.
Defence to Open Case in March
After the prosecution closed its case, defence counsel informed the court that the defendants would testify for themselves.
He also requested access to his clients in DSS custody to prepare their defence adequately.
Justice Nwite then adjourned the matter until March 4 and 5, 2026 for the defence to open its case.
