Ibadan stampede: Court grants N10m bail each to Naomi, Oriyomi

The Oyo State High Court has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, following their involvement in a case related to the Ibadan stampede that occurred during a December funfair.

The event tragically resulted in the deaths of over 30 people, most of them children. A third defendant, the principal of the Islamic High School, was also granted bail.

The defendants were granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million each, with two sureties in like sum. They had been remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre since December 24, facing charges of conspiracy, negligence causing harm, and failing to ensure adequate security and medical provisions at the event.

At the magistrate court hearing, prosecutor Iyaganku Sikiru Opaleye stated that the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) found sufficient grounds for the defendants to face trial. However, the magistrate court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case and directed that an appeal be filed at the high court.

Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi adjourned the case to January 27, indicating that the appeals process would need to begin at the high court. Defense counsel Abdulfatai Oyedeji stated that the next hearing would involve the physical appearance of the defendants to formally take their appeals.

The case is set to progress to the high court, where further legal arguments and evidence will determine the outcome of the charges against the defendants.