A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their involvement in the 2022 Owo church massacre, a deadly attack that claimed dozens of lives during a Pentecost Sunday service at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
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Four defendants were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging for terrorism-related offences tied to the Owo church massacre.
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One defendant was discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Tuesday, ruling that the prosecution successfully proved its case against the four convicted men beyond reasonable doubt.
The court found them guilty of terrorism-related charges including conspiracy, terrorism financing, kidnapping, hostage-taking, and membership of a terrorist organisation.
The convicted persons were identified as Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris. Each of them was sentenced to death by hanging for their roles in planning and supporting the attack that shook the nation in June 2022.
In addition to the death sentence, the court also imposed further penalties, including life imprisonment on certain terrorism counts and 20-year jail terms for conspiracy-related offences.
The ruling reflects the court’s position on the severity of the crime and its wider impact on national security and public safety.
However, the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted after the court determined that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence linking him to the attack.
The Owo church massacre remains one of the most devastating attacks on a place of worship in Nigeria’s recent history.
On June 5, 2022, worshippers gathered for Pentecost Sunday service when armed attackers stormed the church, opening fire and detonating explosives within and around the premises. The assault left dozens dead, including women and children, while many others sustained life-threatening injuries.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation from religious leaders, civil society groups, and international observers. It also prompted intensified security operations and a high-profile investigation aimed at identifying and prosecuting those responsible.
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During the trial, prosecutors argued that the defendants were actively involved in coordinating and supporting terrorist activities linked to the massacre. The court, in its findings, held that the evidence presented was sufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt for the convicted individuals.
The judgment is being viewed as a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism, especially in cases involving attacks on civilians in places of worship. For many families affected by the tragedy, the ruling may represent a measure of closure after years of waiting for justice.
With the verdict now delivered, attention is expected to shift toward possible appeals and broader national efforts to prevent similar attacks in the future.
