The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun. The ruling was made by Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin on Monday after considering their bail applications.
Oriyomi Hamzat’s bail was set at N10 million, with the requirement of two sureties. The court also ordered that Agidigbo FM must cease broadcasting news related to the ongoing case. The defendants had submitted their bail applications the previous Tuesday, but they were remanded in custody until the ruling on January 13.
The defense argued that the defendants posed no flight risk and were committed to fully cooperating with the investigation. However, Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail, stressing the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure justice for the victims and their families. He explained, “The court listened to all the various arguments, and the ruling was reserved till the 13th of January. So principally, we are saying that he ought to be admitted on bail based on certain grounds which I would not want to expatiate on here.”
The defendants’ arrest followed the tragic stampede during a children’s festive party in December 2024 at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has emphasized that those responsible for the stampede must face trial but added that he did not oppose the granting of bail in the case.
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