Ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, has been granted bail by an Oyo State High Court. Also to enjoy bail are the owner of a prominent indigenous radio station, Agidigbo FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Abdullahi Fasasi.
Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court, granted the bail on Monday, but Oriyomi, who was granted a N10 million bail and required to provide two sureties, was ordered to ensure that his organisation must not broadcast the news.
The defendants argued their bail applications before the court last Tuesday, but the court later ruled that the defendants should be remanded in prison until today (Monday) for a ruling on their bail application.
Last month, the Police confirmed that 35 minors died in a stampede at a funfair organised by Silekunola held at Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, on Wednesday, December 18.
Adewale Osifeso, the police spokesperson disclosed that eight suspects, including the Ooni ex-wife. had been arrested in connection with the incident
The Police said that six persons were injured.
Those arrested alongside the prophetess former wife of the Ooni, include the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, and six other individuals.
The statement adds: “In furtherance of the above, the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.
“So also, residents around the axis are advised not to panic as they would witness high level patrols and visible Police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation.
“Finally, the Oyo State Police Command sympathizes with all the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and assures the good people of the State that Justice will be served accordingly.”
Last Tuesday, the defence team of Silekunola made a case for bail, arguing that the accused didn’t pose a flight risk and were willing to cooperate with the investigation.
However, the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, strongly countered this motion, highlighting the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
Adekunle Shobaloju (SAN), counsel for one of the defendants, Hamzat Oriyomi, said, “Well, what we did was 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 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 ground, which I would not want to expatiate on here.”
The defendants were arrested for the ill-fated children’s festive party in December 2024, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children following a stampede at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had insisted that those involved in the stampede must face trial.
He, however, added that he wasn’t against the suspects being granted bail in the case.
