In the wake of the tragic stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children, the Oyo State High Court has granted bail to three prominent individuals facing charges related to the incident.
Presiding over the case, Justice K. B. Olawoyin of Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, ruled in favor of the bail applications submitted by the defense counsel for the accused:
• Olori Naomi Silekunola: The estranged wife of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
• Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat: Proprietor of Agidigbo FM, a well-known broadcasting station based in Ibadan.
• Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi: Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
The court set the following bail conditions for each defendant:
• A bond of ₦10 million, accompanied by two sureties of equal sum.
• Submission of landed property documents within the court’s jurisdiction by the sureties.
• Surrender of international passports to the court.
• A prohibition on granting any press interviews during the ongoing trial.
The accused are confronted with a four-count charge encompassing:
• Conspiracy.
• Acceleration of death.
• Negligent acts causing harm.
• Failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
These charges stem from the catastrophic event on December 18, 2024, during a Christmas funfair at Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, where a stampede led to the tragic loss of young lives.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 27, 2025, to continue deliberations on the case.
The incident has cast a somber shadow over the Ibadan community, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures at public events, especially those involving children.
As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims of the tragic stampede, while the accused await trial under the stipulated bail conditions
