An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has granted the bail applications of Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife; CEO of Agidigbo FM, Hamzat Oriyomi; Islamic High School principal, Abdullah Fasasi, filed by their respective counsel. The trio are on trial for their roles in the stampede that culminated in the death of 35 children, including males and females, at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan on December, 18, 2024. The Eagle Online however learnt that the Oyo State Government has filed a fresh18 counts charge, bordering on murder and manslaughter against the three defendants. According to a source privy to the case, the charge sheet, marked I/05C/2025, was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025 before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan. The Oyo State Government was listed as the complainant while Silekunola, Hamzat and Babatunde were named as defendants. “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. In the 18 counts, the government accused the defendants of “conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offense to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.” The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. In the charge sheet, the state alleged that the defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you.” It could be recalled that the Defence Team, at the Oyo State High Court last Tuesday, January 7, passionately argued for the bail of the accused, citing their cooperation with investigations and lack of flight risk. The defence lawyers contested the detention of their clients, asserting that it was unconstitutional due to procedural irregularities and uncertainties surrounding the court’s jurisdiction. They further expressed concerns regarding the legitimacy of the “holding charge” employed to remand the trio, arguing that it lacked recognition under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act. However, the state government through its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, strongly opposed the request. Aikomo insisted that the applicants had not provided sufficient grounds for their release. He dismissed claims of persecution by the state government, describing them as unfounded. He, therefore, vehemently opposed the motion, stressing the gravity of the charges and the need for justice for the victims and their families. Following deliberations from both the prosecution and defence, Justice K.B. Olawoyin reserved his judgment on the bail applications, scheduling the ruling for Monday, January 13, 2025.
