The Oyo State High Court has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan.
The trio, who are facing trial over their alleged roles in the December 2024 stampede at a funfair in Ibadan that claimed over 30 lives—mostly children—were each granted bail on Monday in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.
The defendants were initially remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre on December 24 after being charged with conspiracy, negligence causing harm, and failing to provide adequate security and medical facilities at the event.
At the resumed hearing at the Magistrate Court, Iyaganku, Sikiru Opaleye, the prosecutor, informed Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi that the State Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) had concluded that the defendants had a case to answer.
Due to jurisdictional limitations, the magistrate court referred the matter to the high court for further proceedings.
At the high court, the defendants were physically absent, delaying their formal plea.
Abdulfatai Oyedeji, counsel to Abdullahi, explained that the defendants must appear in court to enter their pleas before the case progresses.
“The defendants need to be physically present to take their appeal—whether guilty or not guilty—before we move to the next phase of the case,” Oyedeji said.
The court adjourned the case to January 27, during which the defendants’ appeals will be heard.
The stampede at the funfair in Ibadan occurred on December 23, 2024, leading to widespread grief and outrage.
Many accused the event organizers of gross negligence, sparking calls for accountability.
The bail ruling marks a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings, shifting the focus to the high court, where the defendants are expected to mount their defense.
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