An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, along with two co-defendants, Oriyomi Hamzat, a media personality, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School.
The trio faces charges including murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence following a tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair on December 18, 2024, at Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, Ibadan, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
Presiding over the bail hearing, Justice K.B. Olawoyin set bail at ₦10 million for each defendant, with the requirement of two reliable sureties who must submit landed property documents within the court’s jurisdiction. Additionally, the defendants are to surrender their international passports and are prohibited from granting press interviews during the trial.
Justice Olawoyin noted that the magistrate court initially handling the case lacked jurisdiction over the murder charges, and detaining the defendants without proper jurisdiction would infringe upon their rights. He emphasized that the incident appeared unintentional, thereby justifying the decision to grant bail.
The case has garnered significant public attention, with discussions focusing on event safety protocols and the responsibilities of organizers in preventing such tragedies. The court’s decision to grant bail underscores the legal principle that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.