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Oyo govt files 18-count charge against Ooni’s ex-wife, Oriyomi Hamzat over stampede
The Oyo State Government has filed an 18-count charge, including manslaughter, against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of Islamic High School. The charges stem from a tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan that resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
The suspects are currently in detention, with the state alleging their failure to ensure adequate security and medical provisions at the event. At the Oyo State High Court on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the defence team appealed for bail, arguing their clients posed no flight risk and had cooperated fully with the investigation.
Counsel for the defendants argued that their detention was unconstitutional, citing procedural flaws and the illegitimacy of the “holding charge” used to remand them. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adekunle Sobaloju, representing Oriyomi Hamzat, stated that the holding charge is not recognised under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He urged the court to grant bail, emphasising that detaining the accused without proper arraignment violated their rights.
“We filed an application for bail, and the court has reserved its ruling for January 13. The continued detention of the defendants on a holding charge is legally unfounded,” Sobaloju told journalists after the court session.
The state’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail applications, emphasising the seriousness of the charges and the need for justice for the victims. He dismissed allegations of persecution as baseless and insisted that the defence had not provided compelling reasons for their release.
Initially, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan filed charges of conspiracy, culpable homicide, negligence, and failure to ensure safety against the trio. However, the matter was later transferred to the state high court for proper jurisdiction.
Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who presided over the earlier proceedings, declined to take the defendants’ pleas, directing that the case be escalated to the appropriate court.
Justice K.B. Olawoyin has reserved judgment on the bail applications, which will be delivered on Monday, January 13, 2025. The case remains a significant legal battle, with both prosecution and defence presenting compelling arguments about procedural rights and justice for the victims.
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HORRIFIC! Yahoo Boy’ nabbed with Girlfriend’s Head in polythene bag
A young man, simply identified as a suspected ‘Yahoo boy’ (Internet fraudster) was nabbed in Agwan Sarki Orozo, a community near Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, after the discovery of his girlfriend’s severed head.
Security ops, acting on an intelligence tip-off, raided an uncompleted building in the area, where the gruesome find was made.
The man, whose identity remains withheld, allegedly confessed to the crime, further revealing that the rest of the victim’s body was located at his residence.
The incident has left the Orozo community in shock, with locals expressing disbelief over the horrific crime.
Comrade Abwami Nuhuson Daniel, Secretary of the community, shared the disturbing news on Facebook, recounting his shock at witnessing such a crime in person.
“I thought I only saw things like this in movies, but today it happened right in my community,” he wrote.
The revelation that the young woman’s body parts were still at the suspect’s home has sent ripples through the tight-knit community.
While details remain scarce, the case has raised serious concerns about the dark intersection of ritual killings and Internet fraud within the region.
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Photo: Finally, Gov Makinde presents staff of office to fresh Alaafin
Finally, Governor Seyi Makinde has presented the staff of the office to the New Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Abimbola Owoade.
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NAF Expresses ‘Concern’ Over Death Of Civilians In Zamfara Airstrike, Begins Probe
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has expressed concern over reports that its airstrikes on terrorist hideouts, including areas linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, led to the death of civilians in Zamfara State.
Reports had said the airstrike on the Tungar Kara community under the Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, on Saturday evening, mistakenly hit members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes and residents, leaving at least 16 people dead.
A lawmaker representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Maharazu Salisu Gado Faru, who confirmed the report had described the airstrike as an accident, stating that it targeted local vigilantes who mobilised to counter the bandits.
Responding to the incident, NAF spokesperson AVM Akinboyewa in a Sunday statement titled, “NAF Conducts Decisive Air Strikes in Zamfara, Investigating Vigilante Casualty Reports.” said its operations were usually conducted with caution for human lives.
While confirming an investigation is underway to ascertain the truth of these claims, Akinboyewa emphasised that no credible evidence supports reports of civilian casualties.
“The Nigerian Air Force, the recent airstrike at Tungar Kara in Zumi Local Government Area of Zamrafa State, dealt a decisive blow to bandits terrorising villages in the area.
“However, while the operation successfully eliminated several bandits and led to the recovery of some kidnap victims, the NAF views with great concern reports of the loss of civilian lives on the course of the operation.
“A responsible and professional custodian of airpower for the security of the nation, the NAF believes in the absolute value of the life of every Nigerian.
“Accordingly, a comprehensive investigation is in progress, to ascertain the veracity of the report, the outcome of which will be duly communicated to inform and reassure the public.
“Please be rest assured that, while our mission in the North West remains to combat banditry and restore peace, the safety and well-being of all Nigerians are of utmost importance.
“We will therefore, work closely with relevant authorities to unravel the facts and take appropriate steps, as part of our unwavering commitment to prevent, minimise and mitigate any harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of our operations,” the statement said.
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