Four of the five defendants found guilty of carrying out the terrorist attack on worshippers at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo on June 5, 2022, were sentenced by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The attack resulted in the deaths of over forty worshippers and the serious injuries of approximately one hundred others, while the church building sustained significant damage.
According to Justice Emeka Nwite, the prosecution was able to prove its case against four of the five defendants.
Since the fifth defendant had nothing to do with the incident, the court dismissed and cleared him.
The four prisoners will be hanged.
Four of the five defendants were found guilty of aiding, abetting, and conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks that resulted in death and serious bodily harm, as well as belonging to a terrorist group and attending terrorist meetings in order to support a prohibited organization.
Additionally, they were found guilty of taking hostages, kidnapping, hijacking, and possessing and using explosives, as well as financing terrorism and making threats.
Four years have passed since the attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo state.
Four of the five defendants who were prosecuted by the DSS on behalf of the federal government have now been found guilty by the Federal High Court Abuja.
This is truly justice served to the fullest extent. I hope this verdict will serve as a powerful lesson to others, deterring future acts of violence and ensuring peace and safety for all.
