OYO State Government has filed an 18-count charge against the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Naomi Silekunola; CEO of Agidigbo FM, Hamzat Oriyomi; Principal of Islamic High School, Fasasi Abdullahi, over a stampede at a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan that claimed the lives of 35 children.
According to Sahara Reporters, a government source privy to the case said that the government has filed an 18-count charge of manslaughter and related offences against the trio.
“The court will most likely grant bail on Monday. The state government has however filed an 18-count charge of manslaughter and similar offences against the defendants”, the source said.
On 24 December 2024, the trio were remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Services facility in Agodi where they spent their Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations.
They were arraigned before a magistrate court sitting in Iyaganku on four counts of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
Last Tuesday, the Oyo State government opposed bail applications filed by the three suspects before a High Court. During a hearing at the High Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, the defence counsel urged the court to grant bail. However, Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, strongly opposed the application Aikomo insisted that the applicants had not provided sufficient grounds for their release.
“The bail request of the applicants must not be granted by the court,” Aikomo argued. He further dismissed claims of persecution by the state government, calling them unfounded.
However, the defence counsel argued that the detention of their clients was unconstitutional, citing procedural errors and questioning the lower court’s jurisdiction. They also raised concerns about the “holding charge” used to remand the trio, claiming it was not recognised under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Waheed Olajide, representing the school principal, contended that the detention was unjust. “No formal charge has been preferred against the applicant before any court of competent jurisdiction”, Olajide argued, emphasizing Abdullahi’s deteriorating health and his need for medical attention.
Hazmat Oriyomi’s lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), also argued that the detention violates constitutional rights. “The holding charge used to detain the suspects is not known in the criminal administration of justice,” he asserted.
After hearing from both sides, Justice K.B. Olawoyin adjourned ruling on the bail applications until Monday, 13 January 2025.
Eighteen-Eleven Media