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 Babatunde 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.

“The bail was not denied. The court has not given its ruling. The court only reserved it till next hearing which is January 13, 2025,” a court source told SaharaReporters.

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.

A source who witnessed the proceeding told SaharaReporters the prosecution team is being led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyo State Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo (SAN).

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.