The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to shield the identities of witnesses in the ongoing trial of five alleged Al-Shabab terrorists accused of carrying out the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The attack claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 others injured.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the DSS request on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, following an ex-parte application filed by legal practitioner Dr. C. S. Eze, who argued that revealing the witnesses’ identities could expose them to potential attacks.
The court ruled that terrorism cases are sensitive and must prioritize the safety of witnesses.
The defendants — Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar — were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge.
They allegedly belong to an Al-Shabab cell in Kogi State and are accused of carrying out the Owo church attack in furtherance of extremist ideology. All five have pleaded not guilty.
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