Oyo government files 18 charges against Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat and school principal over Ibadan stampede

Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde has filed 18 counts against Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife; CEO of Agidigbo FM, Hamzat Oriyomi; Islamic High School principal, Fasasi Abdullahi, over a stampede at a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan that claimed the lives of 35 children.

According to Sahara Reporters, a government source privy to the case said that the government has filed an 18-count charge of manslaughter and related offences against the trio.

“The court will most likely grant bail on Monday. The state government has however filed an 18-count charge of manslaughter and similar offences against the Defendants,” the source said.

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On December 24, the trio were remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Services facility in Agodi where they spent their Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations.

The were arraigned by a magistrate court sitting in Iyaganku on four counts of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

Last Tuesday, the Oyo State government the opposed bail applications filed by the three suspects before

During a hearing at the High Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, the defence counsels urged the court to grant bail, but Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, strongly opposed the request. Aikomo insisted that the applicants had not provided sufficient grounds for their release.

“The bail request of the applicants must not be granted by the court,” Aikomo argued. He further dismissed claims of persecution by the state government, calling them unfounded.

However, the defence counsels argued that the detention of their clients was unconstitutional, citing procedural errors and questioning the court’s jurisdiction. They also raised concerns about the “holding charge” used to remand the trio, claiming it was not recognised under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Waheed Olajide, representing the school principal, contended that the detention was unjust. “No formal charge has been preferred against the applicant before any court of competent jurisdiction,” Olajide argued, emphasising Abdullahi’s deteriorating health and his need for medical attention.

as unconstitutional. “Anyone can be detained, but it must be in accordance with the law, regardless of the offence committed,” he stated. “The applicants are being held under a holding charge, which is not recognized in the criminal administration of justice.”

Hazmat Oriyomi’s lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), also argued that the detention violated constitutional rights. “The holding charge used to detain the suspects is not known in the criminal administration of justice,” he asserted.

After hearing from both sides, Justice K.B. Olawoyin adjourned the ruling on the bail applications until Monday, January 13, 2025.

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