Naomi Silekunola, ex-queen of Ooni of Ife; owner of Ibadan-based broadcasting station, Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdulahi Fasasi; regained their freedom from Agodi prison on Tuesday, 21 days after they were remanded over the death of 35 children during a stampede in Ibadan.
Presiding judge of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, Justice K. B. Olawoyin had on Monday admitted them to bail in the sum of N10m each with two sureties in like sum.
Ex-queen Naomi and the other defendants face 18 counts, bordering on murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence pressed against them by the Oyo State Government over the December 18 tragedy.
In his ruling on Monday, Justice Olawoyin, rejected the state government’s objection to the defendants’ bail application, remarking that since the the tragic stampede was not a premeditated act, the defendants were entitled to bail.
Faulting the detention of the defendants, the judge declared that there is no place in Nigerian law for a holding charge, which was used to detain them by a magistrates’ court.
“There was no place for holding charge in the Constitution and keeping them in custody would amount to an infringement on their rights, especially without taking them to the right court that could entertain the charges against them,” Justice Olawoyin said.
After their release on Tuesday, Hamzat was welcomed by a mammoth crowd of his well-wishers at his broadcasting station, where he was captured in tears while addressing the people.
He told the crowd, “Oriyomi is back. At this time, I am in a moment of silence. Thank you very much.”