‘At last, killers have been held to account’ – says bishop, as four gunmen sentenced to death

THE bishop who spearheaded the campaign for justice following one of the worst atrocities against Christians in Nigeria has given a heartfelt response to the news that four gunmen have been sentenced to death.

Armed men carried out a killing spree during Pentecost Sunday Mass at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, south-west Nigeria on 5th June 2022 leaving more than 40 dead and up to 100 injured.

On Wednesday (3rd June) the federal court in the capital Abuja sentenced four men - Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris – to 20 years in prison for belonging to a terrorist group. They received a death penalty which requires presidential assent. A fifth man was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) en route to the church to celebrate Mass to mark the fourth anniversary of the atrocity on Friday (5th June), Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo, the diocese which includes, Owo, said: “We are pleased that at last the families and victims in general can move towards a kind a closure although we realise that they will never fully reach closure as they will carry the scars of what happened that day for the rest of their lives. 

“Many are still traumatised and are still going through medical treatment and many are on the edge – they are still suffering and worried because they don’t know what will happen next.” 

Justice Emeka Nwite found the defendants guilty ⁠on a nine-count charge including hostage-taking, kidnapping, terrorism financing and the detonation of explosives causing death and injury.

In addition to the death sentences, the four were also given symbolic sentences of life imprisonment for belonging to a terrorist organisation and 20 years each for conspiracy.

According to court filings, the men allegedly joined the East African militant ⁠group al Shabaab in 2021 and plotted attacks at other locations, including a public school in central Nigeria and an area near a mosque about 30 ⁠km (19 miles) from Owo, Reuters said.

Bishop Arogundade added: “The Church does not accept the death penalty but it is important that those responsible are held accountable.”

The bishop called on the authorities to continue the struggle for justice noting many others implicated in the attack in Owo.

Bishop Arogundade went on to thank ACN for mounting a campaign for justice on behalf of the survivors.

He said: “ACN did so much to keep the story of what happened in Owo on the front burner and by doing so they helped make it clear to the government that the whole world was waiting to see justice done for the victims of the attack.

“As a result, the authorities were bent on getting to the bottom of the attack and were intent on finding the perpetrators.”

Soon after the atrocity Bishop Arogundade appeared before the US Congress and was invited by ACN (UK) to speak at the UK Parliament at Westminster. 

ACN (UK) launched a petition calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice which was presented at 10 Downing Street in a delegation led by Lord David Alton of Liverpool and Baroness Caroline Cox of Queensbury.

 The petition was delivered on 5th June 2023 ACN (UK), the first anniversary of the massacre, by the human rights champions who were accompanied by National Director Caroline Hull and Head of Press & Public Affairs John Pontifex.

Four months later, Owo survivor Margaret Attah, who lost both legs and an eye in the attack, came to London and received the first ACN (UK) #RedWednesday Courage to be Christian Award which recognises heroism and faith in response to persecution. 

Following the sentencing Mr Pontifex said: “I want to thank most sincerely the thousands who were moved by the suffering of Margaret and so many others to offer their prayers and their calls for justice.

“The court ruling shows that their voices have been heard. We earnestly pray that the court’s judgement will help towards healing, but this process can only be completed once all those responsible have been brought to justice.”

According to media reports the men all pleaded not guilty and their defence lawyer said they would appeal against the sentence.