Ibadan Stampede: Court grants bail to ex-Ooni’s ex-wife, Naomi, Hamzat, others

The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun.

Presiding over the case, Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin approved the bail applications on Monday. Oriyomi Hamzat was granted bail set at N10 million with the condition of providing two sureties.

Additionally, the court ruled that Agidigbo FM must refrain from broadcasting news related to the ongoing case.

The defendants had submitted their bail applications last Tuesday, but the court ordered their remand in custody until today for a decision.

During the hearing, the defence argued that the defendants posed no flight risk and were prepared to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

However, Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail applications, citing the seriousness of the charges and emphasizing the need to uphold justice for the victims and their families.

“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 were arrested over 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, has 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.