The State Security Services on Tuesday opposed the bail application filed by the five suspected terrorists who attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State where scores of worshippers were killed on June 5, 2022.
The SSS said that the defendants are standing trial for acts of terrorism which led to the deaths of at least 40 persons and caused grievous injury to over 100 worshippers.
Counsel for the service, Calistus Eze, told Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja following a bail application filed by the defendants’ lawyer, Abdullahi Muhammad.
He said that the defendants’ accomplices were still at large and had been making frantic efforts to monitor their trial, intimidate witnesses and free the defendants from lawful custody.
The lawyer, in the counter affidavit, said the “SSS 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 include Idris Omeiza, 25 years; Al Qasim Idris, 20 years; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26 years; Abdulhaleem Idris, 25 years and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47 years.
They are 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
They were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025.
Mr Eze raised concern about the capacity of the suspects to interfere with prosecution’s witnesses if granted bail considering their alleged antecedent and propensity for violence.
He said, “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.’’
He stated that the offences for which the defendants are standing trial are very serious, with capital punishment if convicted.
“There is very high likelihood of defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to Al-Shabab terrorist group,” he added.
The lawyer said the prosecution had demonstrated readiness for speedy trial of the substantive charge.
He argued that the defendants had not presented any evidence to show that they had credible sureties.
“It will not be in the interest of justice and security of prosecution witnesses to grant the application for bail,” he said.
The defence lawyer, Muhammad, had, while moving the bail application, said that his clients had been in custody since they were arrested in 2022.
He said his clients were ready to present credible and reliable sureties to demonstrate their willingness to stand trial.
After taking arguments from both lawyers, Justice Nwite adjourned the ruling until September 10.
Earlier, Mr Eze informed the court the matter was scheduled for commencement of trial.
He, however, said that the SSS had briefed a new lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, to lead the prosecuting team.
He, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the agency 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.
The lawyer equally moved an ex-parte motion for an order allowing the SSS to protect its witnesses while giving their testimony in view of the threat being received by them.
Muhammad neither objected to Eze’s request for an adjournment nor opposed the application for shielding of the witnesses.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite granted the application.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, two lawyers; Edward Ogar and Vincent Adodo, were in court to watch briefs for the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, the nominal complainant.
The defence lawyer, Muhammed, in a chat with journalists shortly after the sitting, said although he had not had the opportunity to see his clients in custody, he was told by them that they were well attended to.
(NAN)
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