Owo Church Massacre Trial Defendant Denies Knowledge of Rights Suit Filed by Lawyer
In a dramatic development at the Lagos High Court, Jamiu Abdulmalik, the third defendant in the ongoing 2022 Owo church massacre trial, has publicly denied any knowledge of a fundamental human rights suit that was filed on his behalf by his legal counsel. This denial emerged during intense cross-examination by the prosecution team representing the Department of State Services at the Federal High Court proceedings.
Contradiction in Court Testimony
When Senior Advocate Ayodeji Adedeji, acting as prosecutor, presented a fundamental rights suit filed in December 2024 as evidence, Abdulmalik confirmed that his name appeared as the third applicant on the document. However, he maintained with firm insistence that he was completely unaware of the filing and had no knowledge of the legal action taken in his name. The defendant specifically stated that no one approached him in 2022 regarding this case, directly contradicting statements contained within the official affidavit.
Abdulmalik emphasized that his testimony reflects only his personal knowledge and understanding of events. He categorically denied any involvement in filing the fundamental rights suit and stressed that he was never informed by his lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammed, or any other person, about the existence of such legal proceedings. This revelation has created significant tension in the courtroom and raised serious questions about the defendant's legal representation.
Court Admits Controversial Evidence
Despite the defendant's vehement denials, the court proceeded to admit the fundamental rights suit as exhibit V in the ongoing trial. This decision means the document will remain part of the official court record and will be considered alongside other evidence as the proceedings continue. The admission of this exhibit, despite the defendant's claims of ignorance about its existence, adds another layer of complexity to what is already one of Nigeria's most closely watched security cases.
The Owo church massacre, which occurred in 2022, resulted in numerous casualties and has been the subject of extensive investigation and legal proceedings. This latest development in the trial highlights potential issues with legal representation and communication between defendants and their counsel in high-profile security cases. The contradiction between the filed documents and the defendant's testimony may have significant implications for how the case proceeds and how evidence is evaluated by the court.
