…Trio appears in court 2weeks after bail
From Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan
Chief Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, presiding over an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court on Monday, adjourned for mention a case involving an ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, proprietor of an Ibadan based radio station, Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal, Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan to March 24, for mention.
The trio were in court, two weeks after they were released on bail by an Oyo State High court also sitting in Ibadan.
Corenews reports that, the trio were held on holden charge by the court and remanded at Nigerian Correctional Centre, Agodi, Ibadan on the order of the Chief Magistrate
But, the granting of their bail application request at the High Court followed the argument of their separate counsel who told the court that Holden charge is neither known nor recognized in the face of law.
On Monday, the case was slated for mention but the Chief Magistrate, adjourned it till March 24, 2025.
The decision follows the requests from the Counsel to the defendants, who pleaded for a longer date following the telease of the legal advise by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Messrs W. A .Olajide, Dapo Akinosi and H. A. Adeleke appears for ex – Queen Naomi, Oriyomi and Mr Fasasi respectively.
Corenews reports that the advice was issued by the DPP on January 10.
A copy of the legal advice sighted by The Nation was signed by a Senior State Counsel, S. A Osuolale for the Director of Public Prosecution.
It reads in part “Having carefully reviewed the duplicate case file, it is hereby advised that pages B1 (Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi), B2 (Alh. Oriyomi Hamzat) and B3 (Fasasi Abdulahi Babatunde) should be charged with the following offences:
“Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: Murder, contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
“Manslaughter; Contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 325 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
“Conspiracy to commit an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
“Criminal Negligence; Contrary to and punishable under Section 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
It was gathered that, although the legal advice is out, the defendants were yet to be served with the information that has been filed against them.
Akinosi said, his client was in court so that the case can be withdrawn, since the defendants have not been charged in the High Court, hence the plea for a longer date within which proper arrangement in the high court will be dodone.
“The matter today was actually slated for mention because when they were arraigned then it was for Holden charge which is not known to our law.
“Then, they were remanded in prison as a result of the Holden charge that was filed initially against them (defendants). We have applied to the High Court where the bail was granted to the defendants.
“Consequently, the legal advice is out. The information has been filed against them, (defendants) but they are yet to be served with that information that has been filed against them.
“Normally, we have come to the Court today so that the charge against them here will be withdrawn since they have not been charged and their plea has not been taken at the High Court.
“That is why we prayed for a longer date within which the proper thing, a training them, and taking their plea at the High court will be done before they will come back come back to the Chief Magistrate Court and the charge against them will be withdrawn.”
But, the Prosecuting counsel, Sikiru Opaleye, a Police Inspector said the defendants were charged on four – count of conspiracy, manslaughter, criminal negligence and conspiracy.
Opaleye said the offence contravene Section 308, punishable under Section 324, 325, 344 and 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Nation reports that the Oyo State government had on Friday, January 10th, 2025 slammed a fresh suit on the trio at the State High Court.
The 18 count suit with Charge number: I/05C/2025 is: the State government versus Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and Fasasi Abdulahi Babatunde
The 18 count charges borders on: conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offence to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.
The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under section 324 of the criminal code, CAP 38, vol II Law of Oyo state, 2000.
