A Nigerian court has postponed the trial of five men charged in connection with the deadly attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church, where gunmen killed at least 40 worshippers on June 5, 2022. The massacre shocked the usually safer southwestern region of Nigeria and has drawn widespread international condemnation.
The attack took place during a Sunday service in Ondo State, marking a rare incident of violence in the area, which has largely been insulated from the jihadist assaults and mass kidnappings that have plagued other parts of the country for years. On the anticipated first day of the trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Emeka Nwite granted a request for a delay after prosecutors indicated that the Attorney General had called for a new lead counsel for the case.
The defense raised concerns over their inability to meet with their clients since their arrest over three years ago. Attorney A.A. Muhammad stated that he had not been allowed to consult with the accused until their arraignment last week. He expressed frustration over the lack of access, noting that at times he was uncertain of their exact whereabouts.
The court did not set a new date for the trial, leaving families of the victims and the broader community in suspense. During the June 2022 attack, gunmen infiltrated the church, opening fire on congregants while others shot from outside. Initially, authorities suspected the involvement of the Islamic State West Africa Province, which, alongside Boko Haram, has been active in Nigeria’s northeast for over a decade.
The five men are charged under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws with conspiring to commit a “terrorist act,” leading to the deaths of over 40 individuals and inflicting grievous bodily harm on more than 100 others. The prosecution opposed bail for the defendants, arguing that they have connections to foreign terrorist groups and pose a flight risk.
The prosecutor announced plans to call six witnesses, emphasizing that their protection is of utmost importance due to the nature of the case.
In the courtroom, the accused were not handcuffed and were permitted to interact with supporters, reflecting the complex dynamics of a case that has captured national and international attention. As the trial remains in limbo, the community continues to seek justice for the victims of the tragic attack.
