Five persons suspected to be masterminds of the 2022 bombing of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, have pleaded not guilty to nine counts of terrorism filed against them by the Federal Government.
The suspects, Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdul Malik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Abubakar, who were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court on Monday, are accused of being members of Al-Shabab terrorist group with a cell in Kogi State.
Justice Nwite has fixed August 19, 2025 for the commencement of trial.
The judge equally ordered the suspects to be remanded in the custody of the Department Of State Services (DSS).
The arraignment comes three years after then Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor announced the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
The National Security Council had linked the bombing to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
More than 40 worshippers were killed and many injured when armed attackers stormed the church during Sunday mass in 2022.
The late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, condemned the attack as a crime against humanity.
Despite the horror, Akeredolu vowed that the people of Ondo would remain resolute in fighting insecurity.
