By Desire Emmanuel
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, June 3, sentenced four members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group to death by hanging for their involvement in the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.
The attack left more than 40 worshippers dead and over 100 others injured.
Those to die by hanging are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris, after they were found guilty on a nine-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.
The judge, however, discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, after finding insufficient evidence linking him to the terrorist attack.
The judge held that the prosecution successfully established the guilt of the four convicts beyond reasonable doubt, noting that the evidence before the court clearly showed that they were members of, and active participants in, the activities of the terrorist group responsible for the deadly church attack.
More details later…..
