ABUJA — In a landmark ruling delivered on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in the horrific terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.

The Massacre of June 2022

The attack, which took place on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022, remains etched in the national memory as one of the most violent assaults on a place of worship in Nigerian history. Armed terrorists stormed the church, opening fire on worshippers and detonating explosives. The carnage resulted in the deaths of over 40 congregants and left approximately 141 individuals with severe, life-altering injuries. The atrocity drew widespread condemnation from both local and international communities, putting immense pressure on security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.

The Judicial Process and Conviction

Following a rigorous nine-month trial that began in August 2025, Justice Emeka Nwite concluded that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The four men convicted and sentenced to death are:

      •  Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25)

      •  Al Qasim Idris (20)

      •  Jamiu Abdulmalik (26)

      •  Abdulhaleem Idris (25)

Justice Nwite handed down the ultimate penalty after reviewing nine terrorism-related charges, ranging from conspiracy and hostage-taking to the possession and use of explosives. The court was presented with compelling digital forensic evidence, including call records and cell tower triangulation, which linked the defendants to the planning and execution of the attack.

A fifth defendant, 47-year-old Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was discharged and acquitted after the court determined that the evidence presented failed to establish his direct involvement in the conspiracy or terrorism financing allegations.

Trial Highlights and Defense Arguments

The trial was marked by emotionally charged testimonies from survivors, some of whom spoke from wheelchairs, recounting the terror of watching loved ones fall during the service. Prosecutors demonstrated that the convicted men were part of a coordinated cell of the "Al-Shabaab" terror group, operating across Kogi and Ondo states.

The defense team had argued that the defendants' confessional statements were obtained under duress by security operatives. However, Justice Nwite dismissed these claims, noting that the statements were signed and thumb-printed, and remained unchallenged by forensic experts during the proceedings. The judge reaffirmed that the evidence formed an "unshaken" chain of guilt.

Seeking Closure

While the prosecution team, led by Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), hailed the ruling as a triumph for justice and a victory for the grieving families, the defense has indicated that they intend to study the judgment before considering an appeal.

For the survivors and the families of the victims, the sentencing provides a somber sense of closure. The incident in Owo fundamentally changed the security dialogue in southern Nigeria, and Wednesday’s verdict marks the end of a long, arduous legal battle to hold the perpetrators of the 2022 tragedy accountable.