Oyo State fights bail requests for Christmas Funfair tragedy suspects
The Oyo State Government urged the Ibadan High Court on Tuesday to deny bail to Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Hamzat Oriyomi, and school principal Fasasi Abdullahi.
The trio has been in custody following the tragic stampede during a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
The suspects, remanded since December 24, spent the holiday season at the Agodi Correctional Facility.
At Tuesday’s hearing at High Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, the defence team requested their release on bail. However, Oyo’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, argued against it, stating that the applicants had not presented sufficient grounds for their release.
“The bail request of the applicants must not be granted by the court,” Aikomo insisted, dismissing allegations of persecution by the state government as baseless.
Defence lawyers argued that the suspects’ detention was unconstitutional. Citing procedural flaws, they challenged the court’s jurisdiction and condemned the “holding charge” used to remand their clients, which they claimed is not recognised under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Waheed Olajide, representing Fasasi Abdullahi, highlighted the principal’s poor health as grounds for his release, noting that exceptional circumstances such as ill health should be considered.
“The applicant is battling with his health and needs to be taken care of medically,” Olajide asserted.
Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), counsel for Silekunola, described her detention as illegal, stating, “The law demands detention to align with due process, regardless of the alleged offenses.”
Hamzat’s lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), echoed similar concerns, arguing that the holding charge was unconstitutional.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice K.B. Olawoyin adjourned the ruling on the bail applications to Monday, January 13, 2025.
