The Oyo State Government has filed 18 charges against Naomi Silekunola, the ex wife of the Ooni of Ife; Hamzat Oriyomi, the CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of Islamic High School, over a stampede at a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan that claimed the lives of 35 children.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, a government source privy to the case told 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.
The suspects are currently in detention over their involvement in the deadly stampede.
At the Oyo State High Court last Tuesday, January 7, the defence team 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.
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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.
At the centre of this high-stakes case are three defendants: Naomi Ogunwusi, Oriyomi Hamzat, and Fasasi Abdullahi.
Earlier, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan filed four counts of conspiracy to commit felony leading to acceleration of death, culpable homicide, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities against the trio.
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