Ibadan stampede: Court grants N10m bail to ex-Queen Naomi, others

An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, alongside two other defendants, in connection with a tragic incident that led to the deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a Christmas funfair.

The other two defendants are Oriyomi Hamzat, a broadcaster and CEO of Agidigbo Radio FM in Ibadan, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, where the tragedy occurred on December 18, 2024.

Each of the defendants was granted bail in the sum of N10 million, with two reliable sureties, by Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin on Monday.

The court also directed that the defendants submit their international passports and refrain from granting press interviews, whether in print or on social media, during the trial.

The trio is facing charges of conspiracy, murder, manslaughter, and negligence following the stampede at the funfair.

The case had previously been heard at the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, which arraigned the defendants on December 24, 2024.

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The defendants were remanded in Agodi Correctional Centre until their bail applications were heard at the High Court.

Justice Olawoyin, in his ruling, stated that the Magistrate Court lacked jurisdiction to handle the case due to the inclusion of the murder charge.

He also noted that the detention of the defendants could violate their constitutional rights, as the stampede was not a premeditated act.

The case continues to draw attention as it moves forward in the legal process.