Five men accused of masterminding the 2022 bombing of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, have pleaded not guilty to nine counts of terrorism brought against them by the Federal Government.

The defendants — Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdul Malik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Abubakar — appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court on Monday. They are alleged to be members of the Al-Shabab terrorist group, with an operational cell in Kogi State.

Justice Nwite ordered their remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and fixed 19 August 2025 for the commencement of trial.

Their arraignment comes three years after the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, announced that suspects linked to the attack had been arrested. The National Security Council had attributed the atrocity to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

More than 40 worshippers were killed and many others injured when gunmen stormed the church during Sunday Mass, opening fire indiscriminately. The late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu described the incident as a crime against humanity and renewed calls for state police.

“A single central police command cannot guarantee safety in this country,” he said at the time. “We must have state police now. Amotekun is doing its best, but it faces severe limitations in obtaining the equipment needed to combat these criminals.”