Ooni’s Ex-Wife and Others Granted N10 Million Bail Over Ibadan Stampede
A High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, and two others, who are facing charges of murder and manslaughter. Each defendant was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.
The other defendants, Oriyomi Hamzat, a broadcaster and CEO of Agidigbo Radio FM, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School, were also granted the same bail amount. They are accused in connection with the tragic deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a Christmas funfair event on December 18, 2024, at Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.
The defendants were initially arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court on December 24, 2024, facing charges including conspiracy, murder, manslaughter, and negligence. Following their arraignment, they were remanded at Agodi Correctional Centre.
Their counsel later filed bail applications at the state High Court. On Monday, Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin ruled in favor of granting bail to the ex-queen and her co-defendants. He set the bail at N10 million each, requiring two reliable sureties for each defendant.
Justice Olawoyin explained that the Magistrate Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case due to the inclusion of a murder charge. He further stated that holding the defendants in custody would violate their rights, as there was no constitutional basis for holding charges. Since the stampede was not premeditated, the defendants were entitled to bail.
The judge also ordered that the defendants submit their international passports to the court and refrain from giving press interviews during the trial, both in print and on social media. The case has been adjourned until January 27, 2025, for further hearings.
