By David Torough, Abuja

More than three years after the gruesome attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday sentenced four members of a terrorist cell to death by hanging for their roles in the massacre that claimed over 40 lives and left more than 100 worshippers injured.

Justice Emeka Nwite convicted Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; and Abdulhaleem Idris, 25, on a nine-count terrorism charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government.

The court, however, discharged and acquitted a fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, 47, after ruling that the prosecution failed to establish his involvement in the June 5, 2022 Pentecost Sunday attack.

In his judgment, Justice Nwite held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the four convicts were members of a terrorist cell linked to the deadly assault on the church. He said evidence before the court showed they actively participated in the planning and execution of the attack, during which worshippers were held hostage and subjected to extreme violence.

The court heard that the attackers deployed improvised explosive devices and AK-47 rifles during the assault, causing widespread death, injuries and destruction inside the church.

To establish its case, the prosecution presented 11 witnesses and tendered 23 exhibits, including confessional statements, digital forensic reports and a mobile device containing communications allegedly exchanged by the defendants before and after the attack.

A Catholic priest who survived the massacre testified that at least three explosive devices were detonated inside the church, triggering panic and bloodshed among congregants gathered for worship.

Justice Nwite ruled that the totality of the evidence firmly linked the four convicts to the terrorist attack, warranting their conviction and death sentence.

Reacting to the judgment, Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), described the verdict as a landmark achievement in the quest for justice for victims of one of Nigeria’s deadliest attacks on a place of worship.

Ajulo said while no judgment could erase the pain and trauma suffered by survivors, families of victims and the Owo community, the ruling represented a significant step towards accountability and reaffirmed the supremacy of the rule of law over terrorism and violent extremism.

He commended the DSS, prosecutors and witnesses whose efforts ensured the successful prosecution of the case and pledged the continued commitment of the Ondo State Government to strengthening security, protecting places of worship and supporting victims of violent crimes.

“Justice has spoken today. The memories of the victims endure. Our resolve to protect lives and uphold the rule of law remains unshaken,” Ajulo stated.

The state government also called for sustained collaboration among federal and state authorities, security agencies, religious institutions and community leaders to combat terrorism and prevent a recurrence of similar attacks across the country.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the World Bank Group, has commenced a two-week Technical Assistance Mission on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) under the Accelerated Revenue Mobilisation Reform (ARMOR) Programme to strengthen compliance management, revenue assurance, and trade facilitation through modern audit practices.

The programme, which began on June 1 and will run until June 12, 2026, is being held at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General Babatunde Olomu described the mission as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts.

According to Olomu, the initiative aligns with the Customs Service’s vision of becoming a technology-driven, intelligence-led, and globally competitive customs administration capable of meeting contemporary trade and revenue challenges.

He noted that customs administrations across the world are increasingly adopting intelligence-based, risk-driven, and post-clearance interventions that encourage voluntary compliance while facilitating legitimate trade and supporting economic growth.

Olomu explained that the mission would provide an opportunity to evaluate existing operational processes, identify areas requiring improvement, and adopt international best practices aimed at strengthening the Post Clearance Audit framework.

He identified risk-based targeting, case management, registry management, quality assurance, standardisation, and integrated audit systems as critical areas that would receive attention during the programme.

The Assistant Comptroller-General emphasised that an effective Post Clearance Audit system allows Customs to move beyond transaction-based controls to a broader compliance management strategy that enhances revenue collection, promotes transparency, facilitates trade, and builds public confidence.

“This mission presents a valuable opportunity to critically assess our existing processes, identify gaps, learn from international best practices, and develop practical solutions that will strengthen our PCA framework and overall compliance management system,” he said.

Olomu also commended Adeniyi for his commitment to Customs modernisation and capacity development, while expressing appreciation to the World Bank and other development partners for their continued support of Customs reforms in Nigeria.

He urged participants to fully engage in the programme and ensure that knowledge acquired translates into measurable improvements in operational efficiency and service delivery.

In his remarks, World Bank Task Team Lead, Moses Kajubi, said the mission was designed to enhance the capacity of Post Clearance Audit officers through exposure to modern customs practices, practical audit tools, and globally recognised methodologies.

Kajubi stated that participants would gain valuable insights into international best practices, compliance management strategies, and case management techniques that could be adapted to Nigeria’s customs environment.

He stressed the importance of technology, structured case management systems, and data-driven decision-making in improving audit quality, compliance monitoring, and trade facilitation outcomes.

“This engagement will equip participants with practical tools and global best practices that can be applied directly in the field to improve the effectiveness of Post Clearance Audit operations,” he noted.

Kajubi expressed confidence that the programme would strengthen institutional capacity and contribute significantly to the broader modernisation objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Also speaking, Lead Consultant for the ARMOR Programme, Colonel Aloke Dutt, said the mission seeks to improve trade facilitation, optimise revenue generation, and strengthen compliance management through a more coordinated and structured approach to Post Clearance Audit.

He underscored the need for standardised audit methodologies, effective monitoring frameworks, and the integration of data analytics into audit operations to improve accountability and operational efficiency.

Dutt further highlighted the role of technology-driven solutions, including the B’Odogwu platform, as well as the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), in supporting a competency-based audit system across the Service.

During a technical session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Muhammad Jubril, demonstrated the Post Clearance Audit process on the B’Odogwu platform, explaining how officers can initiate audit reviews using Harmonised Commodity codes and other risk indicators.

Closing the event, Comptroller Muhammad Shattima encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training and apply the knowledge gained towards achieving the strategic goals of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Technical Assistance Mission forms part of ongoing efforts by the NCS to strengthen compliance systems, enhance revenue collection, and align its operations with international customs standards while facilitating legitimate trade

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Residents of Kampala Street, Wuse II, Abuja, have formally notified the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) of a pending court case challenging actions affecting properties in the area, warning that any demolition exercise before the determination of the suit could amount to contempt of court.

The warning was contained in a letter dated June 2, 2026, addressed to the Director of Legal Services, AMMC, by the law firm of M.

P. Anaukyaa & Co., solicitors to six claimants led by Mrs. Nnennaya M. Okeke.

According to the letter, the claimants are parties in Suit No.

CV/1022/26 pending before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Garki Judicial Division, involving the Hon. Minister of the FCT and Corporate Ideals Properties Limited as defendants.

The solicitors stated that the suit concerns properties located on Kampala Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, and that all relevant court processes, including the writ of summons, motion on notice, enrolled order, and Form 48, had already been served on the defendants.

They drew the attention of the AMMC to an enrolled order issued by the court on April 2, 2026, directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

The letter noted that since the FCT Minister is a defendant in the suit and AMMC’s actions are often undertaken pursuant to directives from the minister’s office, it became necessary to formally notify the council of the ongoing litigation and the subsisting court order.

The claimants’ counsel maintained that any attempt to proceed with demolition or other actions affecting the disputed properties would constitute a violation of the court’s directive and could expose those involved to contempt proceedings.

They further argued that the properties in question are fully developed structures, some of which, according to them, have existed for more than three decades.

According to the lawyers, demolition of the buildings before the resolution of the case would result in irreparable damage to the owners and undermine the authority of the court.

“Any attempt to carry out any demolition will not only occasion injustice and irreparable damage, but it will amount to total disrespect and disregard of the express order of the court directing that status quo be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the case,” the letter stated.

The solicitors also attached photographs of the disputed properties to support their claim that the structures are longstanding developments.

They urged the AMMC and all parties connected with the matter to respect the court order and refrain from taking further action until the suit is heard and determined.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the AMMC nor the Federal Capital Territory Administration had issued an official response to the notice.

The matter is expected to come up for further proceedings before the FCT High Court.