Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court on Tuesday adjourned until January 13 the ruling on the bail application by broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat and Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife over the stampede in Ibadan in December.

Ms Silekunola, Mr Hazmat and a school principal, Abiodun Fasasi, are being prosecuted by the state over the funfair stampede that led to the death of 35 lives.

Mr Olawoyin, after hearing bail applications from counsel to the three defendants, adjourned the ruling until January 13.

The defendants have been in custody at the Agodi Correctional Centre since December 24.

The defendants were charged on four counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and negligent acts causing harm.

The offences are contrary to sections 324, 311, 517 and 344 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

Musibau Adetunbi (SAN) represented the former queen at the court proceeding, while Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN) and Waheed Olajide appeared for the two other defendants, respectively.

Mr Adetunbi submitted that the lower court acted illegally to have remanded the applicants and urged the court to grant their bail.

However, Abiodun Aikomo, Attorney–General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, said the fact remained that there was a programme, there was a stampede, and 35 people died.

Mr Aikomo said there was no anomaly in section 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice law provisions and prayed the court to grant his counter-application opposing bail.

(NAN)