An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has granted bail to the ex-queen of Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola; owner of Agidigbo FM, Alh. Oriyomi Hamzat and the principal of Islamic High School, Backrub, Basorun, Abdullahi Fasasi.
Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin granted bail to the defendants while ruling on their bail applications on Monday.
The trio were granted bail in the sum of N10 million and two sureties in like sum.
The court also ruled that Hamzat’s organisation, Agidigbo FM, must not broadcast any news relating to the ongoing trial.
The defendants argued their bail applications before the court last Tuesday, but the court ruled that the defendants should be remanded in a correctional facility till Monday, January 13, for a ruling on their bail applications.
Last Tuesday, the defence team made a case for bail, arguing that the accused didn’t pose a flight risk and were willing to cooperate with the investigation.
However, the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the applications, highlighting the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
The defendants were arrested over the stampede at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, venue of a children funfair which claimed the lives of about 35 children.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had insisted that those involved in the stampede must face trial.
He, however, added that he wasn’t against the suspects being granted bail.
The trio were facing trial on a four-count charge bordering on negligence, criminal conspiracy, among others.