An Oyo State High Court has granted a N10 million bail to Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, following her involvement in the tragic Ibadan stampede. The ruling was delivered by Justice K.B. Olawoyin on Monday, January 13, 2025.
The court’s decision also extended to two other individuals charged in connection with the stampede: Oriyomi Hamzat, a prominent Ibadan-based media personality, and Abdulahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School. All three defendants were granted bail under stringent conditions.
Justice Olawoyin set five conditions for the bail, including the provision of N10 million and two sureties. The sureties are required to present verifiable landed property documents within the jurisdiction of the court to secure the bail.
The charges against the defendants stem from an eight-count indictment filed by the state government on January 10, 2025. The charges include murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence, all related to the tragic events of December 18, 2024. On that day, a stampede occurred at an event organized by Naomi Silekunola, resulting in the loss of 35 children and leaving six others hospitalized.
The stampede reportedly took place during a festive event hosted by the former queen, which drew a large crowd, including school children. Eyewitness accounts and reports indicate that inadequate crowd control measures may have contributed to the tragedy. The incident has sparked widespread outcry and calls for accountability, prompting the state government to take legal action against the organizers and involved parties.
The court proceedings have drawn significant attention from the public, with many expressing mixed reactions to the incident and the subsequent bail ruling. As the case unfolds, the spotlight remains on the legal responsibilities of event organizers and the measures needed to prevent such tragedies in the future.
