DSS Presents Forensic Evidence in Owo Church Attack Trial as EFCC Intensifies Criminal Prosecutions
A Department of State Services witness testified in Federal High Court how cell phone analysis implicated suspects in the 2022 Owo church massacre, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested eight individuals across Nigeria for currency mutilation and alleged fraud.
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A prosecution witness from the Department of State Services testified before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, detailing how forensic cell phone analysis placed four defendants at the scene of the deadly Owo church attack that claimed dozens of lives on June 5, 2022.
The witness, appearing as the tenth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial, told the court that investigators conducted thorough analysis of mobile devices belonging to the suspects, which provided crucial evidence linking them to the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. According to Channels Television, the witness "confirmed that the case was thoroughly investigated and that evidence that indicted the defendants were duly obtained."
Forensic Evidence Central to Prosecution Case
The testimony marks a significant development in the prosecution of five men accused of carrying out one of Nigeria's deadliest attacks on a place of worship in recent years. The DSS witness explained how cell phone location data and communication records were analyzed to establish the suspects' presence at the crime scene during the attack, which occurred during Sunday Mass.
The Nation Newspaper reported that the prosecution witness provided detailed accounts of how investigators from the Department of State Services utilized cell phone analysis to build their case against the alleged attackers. The forensic evidence presented represents a growing reliance on digital intelligence in prosecuting terrorism cases in Nigeria, where attacks by insurgent groups have claimed thousands of lives over the past decade.
The trial, which has been ongoing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, continues to draw national attention as families of victims seek justice for the massacre that shocked the nation and drew condemnation from religious leaders and international observers. The attack left at least 40 worshippers dead and dozens injured, marking one of the most brazen assaults on a Christian congregation in southwestern Nigeria.
EFCC Intensifies Enforcement Actions
Separately, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission announced multiple arrests across Nigeria as part of its ongoing enforcement operations. In Maiduguri, Borno State, the anti-graft agency arrested three socialites following a viral video that showed them spraying and mutilating Naira notes at a social event.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrests in a statement released Wednesday, explaining that the suspects were apprehended after the video circulated widely on social media platforms. "Working on credible intelligence, operatives of the Commission arrested the suspects," Oyewale stated, according to The Whistler.
The mutilation of Nigerian currency is prohibited under Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which criminalizes the defacing, writing on, or otherwise damaging legal tender. Violators face potential fines or imprisonment upon conviction. The offense has become increasingly common at social gatherings, prompting the EFCC to intensify enforcement efforts in recent months.
In addition to the Maiduguri arrests, The Whistler reported that the EFCC detained five other individuals for alleged investment fraud, though specific details of those cases were not immediately disclosed. The arrests reflect the commission's expanded mandate to tackle both financial crimes and violations of currency regulations.
Implications for Criminal Justice Reform
The parallel developments in both terrorism prosecution and financial crimes enforcement underscore Nigeria's evolving approach to criminal investigations. The use of forensic cell phone analysis in the Owo church attack case demonstrates how security agencies are incorporating digital evidence into complex terrorism investigations, a practice that has become standard in counterterrorism operations globally.
Legal experts have noted that the successful prosecution of terrorism cases often depends on the quality of forensic evidence presented in court. The DSS testimony in the Owo case suggests that Nigerian security services are building more sophisticated investigative capabilities, though challenges remain in ensuring due process and protecting defendants' rights throughout lengthy trials.
The EFCC's actions against currency mutilation and fraud also signal a broader effort to enforce financial regulations that have long been violated with impunity. However, critics have questioned whether the focus on relatively minor offenses like Naira spraying diverts resources from prosecuting more significant corruption cases.
As both trials proceed through Nigeria's judicial system, they will test the capacity of federal courts to handle complex criminal cases while maintaining international standards for evidence collection and presentation. The outcomes could influence how future terrorism and financial crimes cases are investigated and prosecuted across the country.