Alleged Owo church attack: DSS opposes suspects’ bail plea.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has opposed the bail application of five suspected terrorists accused of attacking St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022. 

The suspects, aged 20-47, are facing a nine-count terrorism charge and allegedly linked to the Al-Shabab terrorist group.

At the trial on Tuesday, at the Federal high Court in Abuja, the DSS expressed concerns that granting the suspects bail would allow the suspects to interfere with prosecution witnesses, whom they claim have received threats and fear for their safety. 

The DSS also highlighted the seriousness of the offenses, which carry capital punishment if convicted, and the likelihood of the defendants evading trial.

Consequently, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the ruling on the bail application to September 10, and granted the DSS's application for witness protection, while the prosecution team has been reconstituted, with a new lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, set to lead the case pending the issuance of a fiat from the Attorney General's office

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