The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group to death by hanging for their involvement in the Owo Church massacre.
The Owo Church massacre refers to the June 5, 2022, attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which resulted in the death more than 40 worshippers.
The attack which also saw over 100 others injured attracted varying degrees of condemnation from far and wide.
The sentence was handed down today, by trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris 25.
He however discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, after finding insufficient evidence linking him to the terrorist attack
All the suspects had faced a nine-count charge of terrorism filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.
According Justice Nwite, the prosecution was able to establish that the four convicts were culpable beyond reasonable doubt.
He held that the evidence before the court clearly showed that, not only were they members of Al-Shabaab terrorist group, but that they participated in the deadly Owo church massacre.
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According to the prosecution, the attackers stormed the church, held worshippers hostage, and unleashed violence that resulted in massive casualties and destruction.
They had, in furtherance of their extreme religious beliefs, used improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles in attacking the church resulting in the death of many.
The prosecution called 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits, including confessional statements and a digital forensic examination report, with the judge agreeing that the prosecution had been able to establish its case that the accused actually carried out the attack.
