Ibadan, Nigeria — The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has granted bail to Olori Naomi Silekunola, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdulahi Fasasi. The decision was delivered on Monday by Justice K. B. Olawoyin.
Hamzat, the founder of Agidigbo FM, a prominent Ibadan-based radio station, and Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, are facing legal proceedings alongside Naomi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife. The charges stem from a tragic incident at a children’s funfair organized by the Wings Foundation, which led to the deaths of 35 children.
Earlier, on January 7, the court reserved its ruling on the bail applications after the trio had been remanded at Agodi Correctional Facility on December 24, 2024, by Chief Magistrate Mrs. Olabisi Ogunkanmi. The remand order was issued pending legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
The accused are facing a four-count charge, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
Fresh Charges Filed
Meanwhile, the Oyo State government has filed an 18-count charge against the trio at the Oyo State High Court. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence, all of which contravene Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The charge sheet detailed the names of 14 victims among the 35 reported fatalities, including Musiliu Sofiyah, 8; Lekan Salami, 7; Feyikemi Salam, 1.5; Olaniyan Joshua, 1.5; and Laeef Muisi, 8. Others named include Opeyemi Ayomide, 4; Adebayo Fatimah, 4; Adebayo Abibat, 5; Adeyanju Taiwo, 8; Salaudeen Khalid, minor; Anjorin Faridat, 10; Nahaam Muisi, 13; and Babatunde Toheeb, 18.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants conspired to commit criminal negligence by failing to provide adequate security, crowd control, and medical facilities at the event. This omission allegedly led to the deaths of the victims, an offense punishable under Sections 308 and 344 of the Criminal Code.
By Enoch Odesola| January 13, 2025
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