The counsel for Hamzat Oriyomi, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), has argued that the detention of his client, along with former Ooni of Ife’s wife, Naomi Silekunola, and Islamic school principal, Abdullahi Fasasi, lacks legal justification under Nigerian law.
The trio were arrested following the tragic stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children during a funfair.
Speaking after Tuesday’s court proceedings, Sobaloju criticized the Oyo State Government’s reliance on a “holding charge” to remand the defendants, stating it was “unknown to the law.”
The legal team filed a bail application at the Oyo State High Court, but the case was adjourned until January 13, 2025, leaving the defendants in custody for now.
The Oyo State Attorney General, Biodun Aikomo, led the prosecution, while the defense presented arguments citing Section 292 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
According to Sobaloju, the law prohibits detention based on holding charges, as such procedures contravene established legal provisions.
“We filed an application that he should be admitted to bail pending arraignment, and the application was argued today.
“The court listened to all the arguments, and the ruling was reserved till the 13th of January. By law, they ought not to be detained or remanded in custody based on a holding charge,” Sobaloju stated.
He emphasized that the defense had presented a compelling case for the defendants’ bail and expressed confidence in the court’s eventual ruling. However, he refrained from disclosing the specific grounds of their argument.
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