By Abiola Ojewusi
The Oyo State High Court has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, in connection with the tragic stampede at a funfair in Ibadan that claimed the lives of over 30 people, mostly children.
The defendants, alongside Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of the Islamic High School, were each granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million and two sureties in like sum.
The trio is facing charges of conspiracy, negligence causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities at the event, which occurred in December 2024. They were remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre on December 24, following their arraignment on four counts.
At a previous hearing, the Magistrate Court at Iyaganku ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to handle the case and referred it to the High Court after the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) determined that the defendants had a case to answer.
Counsel for Abdullahi Fasasi, Abdulfatai Oyedeji, indicated that the case would proceed at the High Court, where appeals would be taken. The court has adjourned the matter until January 27 for further mention.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for improved safety protocols at public events to prevent such tragedies in the future.
