The Oyo State Government has asked a high court in Ibadan not to grant bail to the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, Hamzat Oriyomi, and a school principal, Fasasi Abdullahi.
Beyond Boders reports that the three were detained following the death of 35 children in a stampede at a Christmas event they organized in Ibadan.
The court had previously ordered their detention on December 24. As a result, they spent both Christmas and New Year’s Day at the Agodi Correctional Facility.
During a court session on Tuesday at High Court 8 in Ibadan, the defense lawyers requested bail for the accused. However, the Attorney General of Oyo State, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail requests, arguing that the defendants had not provided enough reason for their release.
Aikomo firmly stated, “The bail request of the applicants must not be granted by the court.”
He also dismissed claims that the state was persecuting the defendants, calling them baseless.
The defense argued that their clients’ detention was unconstitutional. They said the court used a “holding charge” to detain the suspects, which is not recognized under Nigeria’s legal system.
Waheed Olajide, representing Fasasi Abdullahi, noted that his client was not formally charged in any court.
He also highlighted Abdullahi’s health issues, saying, “The law makes provision for exceptional circumstances, which include ill health.”
Musibau Adetunmbi, representing Naomi Silekunola, described her detention as illegal, emphasizing that detention must follow legal procedures.
Adekunle Sobaloju, representing Hazmat Oriyomi, echoed these concerns, arguing that the detention violated constitutional rights.
After hearing both sides, Justice K.B. Olawoyin adjourned the case to Monday, January 13, 2025, for a decision on the bail applications.
