A Nigerian judge on Wednesday found four men guilty in a high-profile terrorism trial over a 2022 church massacre, while acquitting the fifth.
The shooting and bombing at St Francis Xavier Catholic church in the town of Owo, in southwestern Ondo state, left more than 40 people dead and 100 others wounded, according to prosecutors.
Justice Emeka Nwite ruled at the Federal High Court in Abuja that Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik and Abdulhaleem Idris were guilty of all nine charges brought under the country's 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, ranging from joining a terrorist group to planning and carrying out the killings.
They were each handed one life term, two 20-year prison terms and six death sentences, although Nigeria in practice does not carry out executions.
'Justice has been served'
The fifth defendant, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was acquitted on all counts, including a terror financing charge.
"Justice has been served, justice has been done to the deceased who were murdered in cold blood," prosecutor Ayodeji Adedipe told journalists.
Defence lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad said they will appeal the ruling.
The ruling comes as Nigeria ramps up military response to terrorism, which has been a major security challenge for the West African nation, particularly in the country's north.
