Ibadan Stampede: No Freedom Yet For Ooni’s Ex-Queen, Hamzat

Ooni of Ife Ex Queen, Naomi Sikeoluwa and the Proprietor of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hazmat are to remain in Agodi correctional centre ,Agodi pending the determination of their bail application.

Justice K. B. Olawoyin, presiding over Court 8 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, has fixed Tuesday, January 13, to deliver his ruling on the bail application filed by Silekunola, Hamzat, and Abdulahi Fasasi.

Hamzat is the proprietor of Agidigbo FM, an Ibadan-based radio station; while Fasasi is the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.

They are currently standing trial over the stampede which occurred during a Christmas funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, in December 2024.

The incident claimed the lives of no fewer than 35 children.

The bail applications were heard at the Oyo State High Court, Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

Counsel for the suspects had filed a summons of application for bail before the court.

After listening to the submissions and arguments of the counsel on points of law, Justice Olawoyin adjourned ruling on the bail application till Tuesday, 13,January 2025.

The suspects are currently being remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre Agodi

Fasasi was represented by Waheed Olajide, Ex-queen Naomi was represented by Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN) and Hamzat was represented by Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN).

The cases were argued separately by the counsels in a proceeding that lasted over five hours.

The state had also filed a counter-application against the bail of the suspects.

The state team was led by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Abiodun Aikomo who led top officials of the Ministry of Justice.

All the counsels in their separate arguments told the court why their clients should be allowed to enjoy their freedom, noting that there is no sufficient evidence before the court to warrant the confinement to prison custody.