The ongoing trial for the 2022 Owo church massacre took an unexpected turn at the Federal High Court as one of the key defendants publicly distanced himself from his own legal team’s actions. Jamiu Abdulmalik, identified as the third defendant in the case, has flatly denied any knowledge of a fundamental human rights suit filed on his behalf against the Department of State Services.
This surprising development came to light during a cross-examination session. When confronted by the DSS legal team, Abdulmalik insisted that he was completely in the dark regarding the legal maneuvers taken in his name by his lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammed. The situation created a visible stir in the courtroom, highlighting a potential rift between the defendant and his counsel.
The prosecutor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ayodeji Adedeji, presented a specific suit filed in December 2024 as evidence. While Abdulmalik did confirm that his name was listed as the third applicant on the document, he stood his ground, maintaining that he never authorized or was even informed about the filing.
His testimony directly contradicted the claims made in the supporting affidavit. Abdulmalik was firm in his assertion that no one had approached him back in 2022 or at any point afterward to discuss such a case. He stressed to the court that his statements were based strictly on his personal experience and that his lawyer had never mentioned the existence of this particular suit to him.
Despite the defendant’s vocal protests and denial of involvement, the court decided to admit the fundamental rights suit as an official exhibit, labeled Exhibit V. This move ensures the document remains part of the judicial record as the trial continues to unfold.
The disconnect between a defendant and his legal representation in such a high-profile matter raises serious questions about communication within the defense team. As the proceedings move forward, many are watching to see how this internal friction will impact the broader search for justice in the Owo tragedy.
