Rewritten Story:
The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on Tuesday heard arguments regarding the bail applications of Naomi Shilekunola, ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Hamzat Oriyomi, and school principal Fasasi Abdullahi. The three have been in detention since December 24 over a fatal stampede at a Christmas funfair they organised, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
The defendants, who spent both Christmas and New Year in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Services facility in Agodi, appeared in High Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan. Their legal teams urged the court to grant them bail, arguing that their detention was unconstitutional and procedurally flawed.
However, the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail applications, stating that the defendants had not provided sufficient grounds for release. Aikomo dismissed claims of persecution by the state government as baseless.
The defence counsel criticised the legal basis for the detention, asserting that the “holding charge” under which the defendants were remanded is not recognised by Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Waheed Olajide, representing Fasasi Abdullahi, highlighted his client’s deteriorating health, calling for bail under exceptional circumstances allowed by law. “The applicant is battling health challenges and requires urgent medical attention,” Olajide said.
Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), counsel for Naomi Shilekunola, described her continued detention as unconstitutional and argued that the state had failed to present formal charges against her. “The applicants are being detained based on a holding charge, which has no legal standing,” Adetunmbi stated.
Similarly, Hazmat Oriyomi’s lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), argued that the detention contravened constitutional provisions. “The continued incarceration of the suspects is a violation of their rights under the law,” Sobaloju said.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice K.B. Olawoyin adjourned the ruling on the bail applications until Monday, January 13, 2025.
