A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Abdullahi Fasasi, at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
They were arraigned in connection with the recent stampede at an Ibadan funfair held at Islamic High School, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children and left several others injured.
The Presiding Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, ruled that the defendants remain in custody pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution of the state Ministry of Justice.
The case was adjourned until Monday, January 13, 2025.
The defendants face a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, causing death by negligence, endangering public safety, and failing to provide adequate security and medical facilities at the event.
During the proceedings, their counsel argued that the Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction over the case and sought that the defendants be kept in police custody rather than being remanded in the correctional facility.
One of the defense counsels, Waheed Olajide, contended that holding the suspects in custody under the current circumstances was premature and could infringe on their rights, especially if they are later found innocent.
Counsel to Hamzat, Ridwan Adekunle, also disclosed that an earlier agreement with the police indicated that his client would not be sent to the correctional center due to his health condition, following his hospitalization after the tragedy.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate disagreed with the submissions of the counsels to the parties, adding that “she has the discretion to exercise and she is going to exercise the same in putting the suspects in the correctional Center.”
Justifying the decision, the Chief Magistrate said, “The police who brought the suspects to the court ought to have factored in their health conditions and the circumstances that informed the case itself before bringing them to court and having brought them, it lies on her responsibility of putting them in a correctional Center, pending the time legal advice would come out from the DPP.”
She emphasised that the legal advice would determine the next steps, including whether the defendants would face trial, a reduced charge, or be discharged.
The court premises witnessed a heavy presence of security operatives as agitated supporters of Hamzat stormed the venue, expressing anger when the suspects were being conveyed in patrol vans.
Meanwhile, five other suspects initially arrested in connection with the incident were released on Monday night.
Those freed included Genesis Christopher (24), Tanimowo Moruf (52), Anisoloja Olabode (42), Idowu Ibrahim (35), and Abiola Oluwatimileyin (25).
