The Oyo State Government on Tuesday opposed the bail applications of Naomi Shilekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Hamzat Oriyomi, and Fasasi Abdullahi, a school principal, who are currently remanded in custody over the tragic death of 35 children during a Christmas Funfair they organized in Ibadan.
The three defendants have been in detention since December 24, following the fatal stampede that occurred during the event. They spent both Christmas and New Year’s Day at the Nigerian Correctional Services facility in Agodi, awaiting their trial.
At Tuesday’s hearing in High Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, the defense counsel requested bail for their clients. However, Oyo State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, vehemently opposed the bail requests, arguing that the applicants had not provided sufficient grounds for their release. He further dismissed claims of persecution by the state government as unfounded.
Aikomo emphasized that the defendants should not be granted bail, stating, “The bail request of the applicants must not be granted by the court,” and urged the judge to maintain the remand order.
The defense counsel, on the other hand, argued that the detention of the defendants was unconstitutional, citing procedural irregularities. They also challenged the court’s jurisdiction, claiming that the “holding charge” under which the suspects were remanded was not recognized under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Waheed Olajide, the lawyer for Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, contended that no formal charges had been filed against his client. He also highlighted Abdullahi’s poor health, arguing that under the law, exceptional circumstances such as ill health warranted the release of suspects on bail. Olajide insisted that Abdullahi required urgent medical attention, and his continued detention was unjustified.
Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), representing Shilekunola, described her detention as unconstitutional, asserting that the detention was in violation of legal procedures. “Anybody can be detained, but it must be in accordance with the law,” Adetunmbi stated, adding that the use of a holding charge, which is not recognized in criminal justice administration, was unlawful.
Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), representing Hamzat Oriyomi, similarly argued that the continued detention of the suspects violated constitutional provisions. “The holding charge used to clamp the suspects in the prison custody is not known in the criminal administration of justice,” he said.
Justice K.B. Olawoyin, after listening to the arguments from both sides, adjourned the ruling on the bail applications to Monday, January 13, 2025. The case has drawn significant attention, with the state government remaining firm in its position to keep the defendants in detention as investigations continue into the stampede tragedy.
