There was high tension and deep emotion at the Federal High Court as Justice Emeka Nwite delivered judgment in the terrorism case linked to the 2022 Owo church attack.
The Federal Government had prosecuted five defendants over the deadly incident. In a judgment that lasted more than three hours, Justice Nwite examined the arguments and evidence presented by both the prosecution and defence before ruling that the prosecution had successfully established its case against four of the accused persons.
The court found the four defendants guilty on counts four and five, holding that they were members of the banned terrorist group, Al-Shabaab.
They were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without the option of fine and also condemned to death by hanging.
However, the fifth defendant, who was accused of financing terrorism in relation to the attack, was discharged and acquitted after the court held that the evidence against him was insufficient.
Lead prosecution counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe SAN, welcomed the judgment, describing it as justice for the victims and saying it would send a strong warning to other terrorists.
But counsel to the defendants, A.A. Muhammad, faulted the ruling and disclosed plans to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The Owo church attack, which killed several worshippers and injured many others, remains one of the deadliest terror attacks ever recorded in Ondo State.