By Our Reporter
The Oyo State Government has filed an 18-count charge, including manslaughter, against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of Islamic High School. The charges arise from a deadly stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, which claimed the lives of 35 children.
The accused individuals are currently in detention, with the state alleging their failure to provide adequate security and medical arrangements at the event. On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the defence team sought bail, arguing that their clients posed no flight risk and had fully cooperated with the investigation.
Counsel for the defendants challenged the legality of their detention, arguing that the “holding charge” used to remand them was procedurally flawed and unconstitutional. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adekunle Sobaloju, representing Oriyomi Hamzat, contended that the holding charge is not recognized under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He urged the court to grant bail, emphasizing that continued detention without proper arraignment violated the defendants’ rights.
“We have filed for bail, and the court has reserved its ruling for January 13. The defendants’ continued detention on a holding charge lacks legal foundation,” Sobaloju told reporters after the session.
Oyo State’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail applications, stressing the gravity of the charges and the need for justice for the victims. He dismissed claims of persecution as unfounded and argued that the defence had not provided sufficient grounds for bail.
Earlier, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan had filed charges against the trio for conspiracy, culpable homicide, negligence, and failure to ensure safety. However, the case was transferred to the Oyo State High Court for proper jurisdiction.
Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi had refused to hear the defendants’ pleas, directing the case to be escalated to the appropriate court.
Justice K.B. Olawoyin has reserved judgment on the bail applications, with a ruling set for Monday, January 13, 2025. The case remains a significant legal battle, with both the prosecution and defence presenting crucial arguments regarding procedural rights and justice for the victims.