Ex-queen of Ooni, Oriyomi Hamzat, Others Released on Bail After Stampede Charges

The Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan presided over by Justice Kamaldeen has released the former wife of Ooni Ife, Naomi Silekunola, CEO of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat others being prosecuted for murder arising from the stampede that claimed 35 lives last December on N10m bail. 

Also the principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Abdullahi Fasasi was among.

Recall that on December 18, 2024, the three accusers were facing trial for the deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a Christmas funfair program at Islamic High School, orita Basorun, Ibadan.

On December 24, 2024,Defendants were arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court on a-four count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, negligence, and causing harm and were subsequently amended at Agodi Correctional Center. 

Thereafter, their counsel subsequently filed applications for their bail at the State High Court. 

While delivering ruling on the bail application on Monday, Justice Olawoyin guaranteed the ex queen and her Co defendants to bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two reliable sureties.

According to Olawoyin, the Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case due to the murder charge contained in the charge sheet. 

He highlighted that there’s no place for holding charges in the Constitution and keeping them in custody would amount to infringement of their actions.

He also said the incident of the stampede was not a premeditated act, opposing that the defendants were entitled to bail.

Justice Olawoyin directed that the defendants must submit their international passport to the court and must not grant any press interview in print or social media during the trial.