Court admits more evidence against Owo Catholic Church attack linchpins

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday admitted more confessional statements and Digital Forensic Examination Report against the accused persons standing trial for their alleged complicity in the June 5, 2022 terror attacks against St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State in which 41 people died and 140 others injured.

Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the statement, Digital forensic examination report along with a Techno Telephone that revealed the exchange of communications among the defendants before and after the terror attack.

The Judge admitted the exhibits following absence of objections to their admission by the counsel to the five defendants Mr Abdullahi Mohammed.

The five defendants are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25 years), Al Qasim Idris (20 years), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26 years), Abdulhaleem Idris (25 years) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47 years).

At Thursday’s proceedings, the federal government which put the accused persons on trial formally closed its case after calling 11 witnesses that testified against the defendants to establish the alleged offences against them.

Following the development, Justice Nwite gave the defendants who are facing 9-count charges March 4 and 5 to open their defence in the heinous crime.

A lawyer for the accused persons had earlier informed the court that only the defendants would give evidence for themselves and that he could complete the defense in just one day.