BREAKING: Ibadan Stampede: Oyo Court Reserves Bail Ruling For Ooni’s Ex-Wife Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, School Principal, Adjourns Case

The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has reserved its ruling on the bail applications filed by the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, owner of a prominent indigenous radio station, Agidigbo FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Abdullahi Fasasi.

Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court, on Tuesday, ruled that the court will on Monday, January 13, 2025 decide on the bail conditions Oriyomi, Naomi and Fasasi who were remanded in the Agodi correctional center following a deadly stampede that occurred in Ibadan on December 18.

The applications for bail filed by the lawyers representing the defendants were heard at High Court, Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan.

However, the trial court adjourned the case until January 13, 2025, after hearing arguments from both the prosecution team and the defendants.

SaharaReporters learnt that the trial court is expected to deliver its ruling on the bail applications on the next adjourned date.

At the court on Tuesday, the defence team made a case for bail, arguing that the accused didn't pose a flight risk and were willing to cooperate with the investigation.

However, Abiodun Aikomo strongly countered this motion, highlighting the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure justice for the victims and their families.

Adekunle Shobaloju (SAN), counsel for one of the defendants, Hamzat Oriyomi, said, “Well, what we did was we filed an application that he should be admitted to bail pending arraignment, and the application was argued today.

“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 prosecution team is being led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyo State, Abiodun Aikomo.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had also 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.

He noted that the case must be heard regardless of the status of those involved.