•Refutes claim that rights violation suit triggered defendants’ arraignment
•Court okays shielding prosecution witnesses’ identity

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, in view 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 in view 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 defendants were arraigned on August 11 on a nine-count terrorism charge, filed by the DSS.

In the counter-affidavit, the secret police stated that the offences for which the defendants are standing trial were very serious, with capital punishment if convicted.

The plaintiff 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 the time.

The DSS said: “There is a very high likelihood of defendants evading trial in view of their connection to foreign fighters linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group.

“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 applicant disclosed that it was “currently investigating the leads with a view to apprehending those individuals, planning to intimidate witnesses and compromise the trial.”

It added: “The prosecution witnesses have expressed fears of attacks by defendants’ cohorts and have stated that they will not attend court sessions except their fears are allayed.”

Defence lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammad, had, while moving the bail application yesterday, noted that his clients have been in custody since they were arrested in 2022.

He said they were ready to present credible and reliable sureties to demonstrate their willingness to stand trial. Prosecuting counsel, Dr Calistus Eze, urged the court to reject the bail application for being unmeritorious.

Eze stated that there were ongoing threats to would-be witnesses of the prosecution, which the defence lawyer is aware of. After taking arguments from both lawyers, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned till September 10 for ruling on the bail application.