HURIWA Urges Swift Action On Appeals, Enforcement After Owo Convictions
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has welcomed the death sentence handed to four men convicted for the June 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo Ondo State as a powerful signal that perpetrators of mass killings and terrorism will face severe consequences.
The Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the verdict on Wednesday with Justice Emeka Nwite presiding. The ruling convicted the four on terrorism related charges stemming from the assault that left over 40 worshippers dead and more than 100 injured during a church service.
HURIWA National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko described the outcome as a landmark achievement for justice and the rule of law. “The verdict is a landmark victory for justice a triumph for the rule of law and a strong message that those who engage in terrorism and mass murder will ultimately face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The group noted that the judgment has helped restore public confidence in the justice system and brought some measure of closure to families who lost loved ones in the attack. It specifically praised the Department of State Services for its intelligence driven investigation that led to the arrests prosecutions and eventual convictions.
HURIWA emphasised that the result highlights the need to bolster security institutions with capable leadership to confront terrorism effectively. The organisation called on security agencies to step up operations against kidnapping syndicates and violent criminal networks operating in different parts of the country.
It further urged the judiciary to hand down strict penalties in terrorism and kidnapping cases arguing that the current security challenges demand robust deterrent measures. The group appealed for quick resolution of any appeals from the verdict to deliver timely justice to victims.
HURIWA also stressed the importance of swift enforcement of the death sentence insisting that delays could reduce its impact as a deterrent. It appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue supporting security agencies and the judiciary in the battle against terrorism and violent extremism.
The organisation added that the Owo judgment sends a clear message that Nigeria will not provide a safe haven for terrorists or those responsible for mass murders.
This development occurs against a backdrop of persistent threats from terrorist groups and criminal elements that have carried out numerous attacks on communities and places of worship over the years. The Owo case stands out as one of the most devastating assaults on civilians in recent times with the trial relying on forensic evidence and survivor testimonies to secure the convictions.
Rights advocates and observers have long argued that high profile prosecutions like this one can strengthen public trust when they demonstrate that investigations can hold powerful actors accountable. At the same time the call for faster appeals and firm execution reflects broader concerns about how delays in the justice system sometimes affect the perceived strength of legal deterrents.