The Oyo State Government has opposed the bail applications of former Queen of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Shilekunola, Hamzat Oriyomi, and school principal, Fasasi Abdullahi, who were remanded in prison custody over the death of 35 children during a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan.
The defendants, who have been in custody since December 24, 2024, spent both Christmas and New Year’s Day at the Nigerian Correctional Services facility in Agodi. During Tuesday’s hearing at High Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, urged the court to deny their bail requests, arguing that the applicants had not provided sufficient grounds for release. He dismissed allegations of persecution as baseless.
The defense counsel, however, argued that the detention of their clients was unconstitutional, citing procedural irregularities and challenging the jurisdiction of the court. They criticized the use of a "holding charge" to detain the suspects, stating that it was not recognized under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Waheed Olajide, representing Fasasi Abdullahi, highlighted his client’s poor health and argued that exceptional circumstances warranted bail. Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), counsel for Silekunola, and Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), representing Hamzat Oriyomi, echoed similar concerns, describing the detention as unlawful and not in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Justice K.B. Olawoyin, after listening to arguments from both sides, adjourned the ruling on the bail applications to Monday, January 13, 2025.
