Oyo court denies bail to former Ooni’s wife, Oriyomi Hamzat over Ibadan stampede tragedy

The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on Tuesday declined the bail applications of Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, alongside popular radio broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat and school principal Abdullahi Fasasi.

The trio faces legal scrutiny following the tragic stampede at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, which claimed the lives of 35 children during a funfair event in December.

Justice Olawoyi, presiding over the case, withheld the bail rulings for Naomi and Fasasi based on a plea by the state’s Attorney General, who requested additional time to complete investigations into the incident.

The Attorney General argued that granting bail at this stage could hinder the ongoing inquiry, which aims to uncover the circumstances leading to the fatal stampede.

Naomi, also a proprietor of Agidigbo FM in Ibadan, along with Hamzat and Fasasi, was arrested shortly after the December tragedy.

The court hearing on their bail applications began on Tuesday under heightened security, with a visibly tense atmosphere as concerned parties awaited the ruling.

READ ALSO: Death toll in Ibadan funfair stampede rises to 35

Justice Olawoyi, while addressing the court, emphasized the need for due diligence in a case of such gravity.

“The loss of 35 young lives is a significant tragedy. Ensuring accountability requires thorough investigation, which must not be compromised,” the judge stated.

The court has adjourned further hearings in Naomi Silekunola’s case to next week, signaling a protracted legal process for the high-profile defendants.

Legal experts and public commentators have expressed mixed opinions about the court’s decision.

Barrister Adeola Akinlolu, a legal practitioner based in Ibadan, described the court’s stance as “prudent” given the severity of the incident.

“The state has a duty to conduct a comprehensive investigation to ensure justice for the families of the victims. While bail is a constitutional right, the court must balance that right with the need for thoroughness in this sensitive case,” Akinlolu remarked.

On the other hand, social activist and human rights advocate Dr. Funmilayo Adesanya expressed concerns about prolonged detention without bail.

“It’s crucial that the rights of the accused are respected. While the tragedy is heart-wrenching, the presumption of innocence must remain intact unless proven otherwise in court,” she stated.

The December funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, was intended to provide an entertaining holiday experience for children but turned tragic when a stampede ensued, leaving 35 children dead.

Initial reports indicate a possible lack of crowd control measures, with critics pointing fingers at organizers for negligence.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for stricter regulation of public events involving children. The Oyo State government has since launched an inquiry to determine culpability and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The decision to deny bail has garnered mixed reactions from the public. While some residents commended the court for prioritizing thorough investigations, others raised concerns about the prolonged detention of high-profile individuals without conclusive evidence of their involvement.