Nigeria, June 3 -- Judge Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja is currently delivering judgement in the trial of five defendants linked to the 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. About 40 persons were said to be killed and over 100 others injured in the attack that took place during a Sunday mass at the church.

Mr Nwite, who began reading out his written judgement at about 9:18 a.m., speaks in a firm and loud voice. He intermittently raises his head sharply as reads the judgement to a packed courtroom.

The five defendants standing trial over the 5 June 2022 attack on the church in Owo are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, 25; Al Qasim Idris, 20; Jamiu Abdulmalik, 26; Abdulhaleem Idris, 25; and Momoh Otu...