Naomi Silekunola and her fellow accused in the Ibadan stampede case had their plea granted as a Chief Magistrate’s Court adjourned the matter until March 24 to “allow proper proceedings” and likely transfer to a High Court.

Naomi, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, appeared in court along with Agidigbo FM proprietor Oriyomi Hamzat, and the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Abdulahib Fasasi.

They face four charges of conspiracy, murder, manslaughter, and negligence in the death of 35 people, including women children, arising from a stampede for cash and food items at a funfair in Ibadan on 18 December 2024.

The accused were previously remanded in custody but later released on bail following a High Court ruling that a “holden charge” used to incarcerate them is not in Nigerian law.

The case was scheduled for mention, during which the Magistrate’s Court adjourned it until March 24.

Hamzat’s counsel Dapo Akinosi told journalists that: “The matter today was actually slated for mention because when they were arraigned initially, it was on a holden charge, which is not recognised by our law. They were remanded in prison as a result of that charge.

“We subsequently applied to the High Court, where bail was granted to the defendants. Legal advice has now been issued, and the proper information has been filed against them. However, they are yet to be served with the information.

“Today, we came to court so that the charge here could be withdrawn. Since their plea has not yet been taken at the High Court, we requested a longer adjournment to allow proper proceedings, including plea-taking at the High Court, before the case can be concluded at the Magistrate Court.”