Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the Ibadan funfair stampede, an Ibadan High Court has postponed its ruling on the bail applications of the suspects involved in the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of 35 minors in Oyo State’s capital.
Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin made the announcement after hearing arguments from the defense counsels representing the three suspects. The ruling on their bail applications has been adjourned until Tuesday, January 13, 2025.
The suspects—Naomi Silekunola, Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of the school involved—submitted separate applications seeking bail. The accused were arraigned in a magistrate court in Iyaganku on multiple charges, including conspiracy, manslaughter, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
The proceedings, which lasted over five hours, saw the defense present their arguments, asserting that there was insufficient evidence to justify the suspects’ continued detention.
However, the Oyo State Government, represented by Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, filed a counter-application, opposing the bail requests. Aikomo, supported by senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, argued that the suspects should remain in custody pending the resolution of the case.
The suspects are currently being held at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Agodi.
The deadly stampede occurred during a funfair organized by Silekunola, a former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The tragedy has drawn widespread public outrage. In the days following the Ibadan incident, two other fatal stampedes in Anambra and Abuja, during food distribution events, claimed an additional 35 lives.
