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An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, along with two others, Oriyomi Hamzat, a broadcaster and CEO of Agidigbo Radio FM, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School. The trio is facing prosecution for murder and manslaughter following a stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children during a Christmas funfair at Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, Ibadan, on 18 December 2024.
The defendants were initially arraigned at an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court on 24 December 2024, on charges of conspiracy, murder, manslaughter, and negligence. They were subsequently remanded at Agodi Correctional Centre pending further proceedings. However, their counsel filed applications for bail at the High Court.
Court Ruling
Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin, presiding over the bail hearing, granted the defendants bail in the sum of ₦10 million each with two reliable sureties.
In his ruling, Justice Olawoyin emphasized that the Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction over the murder charge, noting that holding charges are not recognized by the constitution. He stated that keeping the defendants in custody would violate their fundamental rights, particularly since the stampede incident was not premeditated.
Bail Conditions
The judge ordered the defendants to:
- Submit their international passports to the court.
- Refrain from granting press interviews or making statements on social media during the trial.
Next Hearing
The case has been adjourned to 27 January 2025 for further hearing.
