Owo Is One Association (OIOA), a non-political frontline body committed to protecting the socio-economic interests and heritage of the Owo Kingdom, said the judgment of the Court on gunmen who attacked St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo in 2022, has vindicated its demand for accountability.
On June 6, 2022, a day after the attack, OIOA went public with protests and press conferences at Victoria Island, Lagos, and at Owo Town Hall. The association had earlier paid condolence visits to the priests of St. Francis Catholic Church, the Olowo-in-Council, and the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, to express outrage over the unprovoked attack on innocent worshippers and the people of Owo.
Reacting to the judgment, OIOA Deputy National Coordinator, Chief Abimbola Fabolude, who was one time the Executive Chairman of Owo Local Government Council, expressed gratitude to security agencies for thoroughly investigating the perpetrators and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law. He affirmed confidence in the judiciary, stating that justice had prevailed despite the three-year wait.
OIOA Media Head, Olatunbosun Oladimeji, said in the same statement that the victims would be celebrating this judgment in their eternal rest, if there is life beyond. He added that their loved ones, the entire Owo community, and Catholic faithful worldwide would glorify the Lord God of judgment and vengeance, believing that He who is a jealous God has counted the bones of the departed and will raise them again.
The judgment brings to a close one of the most high-profile terrorism trials arising from the attack that shocked Nigeria and drew widespread condemnation at home and abroad.