The Department of State Services (DSS) has cautioned a Federal High Court in Abuja against granting bail to the five men being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the June 5, 2022, attack at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, because of their alleged link with foreign terrorist groups.
The DSS, in a counter-affidavit to the defendants’ bail application, also raised concern about their capacity to interfere with the prosecution’s witnesses, if granted bail, because of their alleged antecedents and propensity for violence.
The five are: Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris 20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25) and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47).
The five defendants were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge that the DSS filed against them.
In the counter-affidavit, the secret police stated that the offences for which the defendants are standing trial are serious and could result in capital punishment if convicted.
It added that the defendants are standing trial for acts of terrorism, which led to the death of about 40 persons and caused grievous injury to over 100 worshipers at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022.
The DSS said: “There is a very high likelihood of the defendants evading trial because of their connection to foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group.
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“The defendants’ accomplices are still at large and have been making frantic efforts to monitor their trial, intimidate witnesses, and free the defendants from lawful custody.”
The secret police added that it was “currently investigating the leads to apprehend those individuals planning to intimidate witnesses and compromise the trial in the interest of the applicants.
“The prosecution witnesses have expressed fears of attacks by the defendants’ cohorts and have stated that they will not attend court sessions except their fears are allayed.
“This necessitated the filing of an ex parte application for the witnesses’ protection.
“The prosecution has demonstrated the readiness for a speedy trial of the substantive charge. The defendants have not presented any evidence to show that they have credible sureties.