The Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, urged the state high court in Ibadan not to grant bail to the ex-queen of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Shilekunola, Hamzat Oriyomi, and a school principal, Fasasi Abdullahi.

The court had on December 24 remanded the trio in prison over the death of 35 children during a Christmas Funfair they organised in Ibadan, which resulted in a fatal stampede.

The defendants spent both Christmas and New Year’s Day at the Nigerian Correctional Services facility in Agodi.

During Tuesday’s hearing at High Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, the defence counsel urged the court to admit them to bail but the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail requests, insisting that the applicants had not shown sufficient grounds for their release.

“The bail request of the applicants must not be granted by the court,” Aikomo stated. He also countered claims of persecution by the state government, describing them as unfounded.

Earlier, the defence counsel argued that their clients’ detention was unconstitutional, citing procedural irregularities and challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

They maintained that the “holding charge” used to remand the suspects was not recognised under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Waheed Olajide, representing Fasasi Abdulahi, principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, argued that the detention was unjustified.

“No formal charge is preferred against the applicant before any court of competent jurisdiction,” Olajide said.

He further emphasised Abdulahi’s poor health condition, stating, “The law makes provision for exceptional circumstances, which include ill health, upon which the suspects can be released on bail. The applicant is battling with his health and needs to be taken care of medically.”

Silekunola’s lawyer, Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), described her continued detention as unconstitutional.

“Anybody can be detained, but it must be in accordance with the law, irrespective of the offenscs committed,” he argued. “The applicants are being held in detention pursuant to a holding charge which is not known in the criminal administration of justice. Oyo State Government has acted illegally with the continuing detention of the suspects in the prison custody. All the evidences presented by the defense counsel to buttress their case are zero.”

Hazmat’s lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), similarly contended that the detention violated constitutional provisions.

“The holding charge used to clamp the suspects in the prison custody is not known in the criminal administration of justice,” Sobaloju argued.

Justice K.B. Olawoyin, after listening to submissions from both sides, adjourned the ruling on the bail applications till Monday, January 13, 2025.

The National Bureau of Statistics website has remained shut nearly three weeks after it was hacked.

Checks on Monday showed that the website is still inactive. This is coming ahead of the December inflation report expected to be released next week, January 15, 2025.

It was reported that on December 18, 2024, NBS confirmed that its official website was hacked.

NBS had promised to recover the website, which served as a repository of statistics and information.
This comes as NSB allocated N35 million for cybersecurity in its N9.85 billion budget for 2025.

The hack incident came after an NBS Experience and Security Perception Survey, which showed that Nigerians paid an estimated N2.3 trillion as ransom in 12 months and that 65 percent of households had been affected by kidnapping incidents.

The survey had generated controversy over its veracity.

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National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu; a Nigerian-born British politician and leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch; and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), have been recognised among the 100 Most Reputable Africans for 2025, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

The list which was released on Sunday, by Reputation Poll International (RPI), in partnership with the Global Reputation Forum, had the names of other notable Nigerians and African leaders.

The list featured men and women from diverse sectors across the continent that had excelled in technology, creative industries, sports, public service, academia and environmental advocacy.

Ribadu’s nomination stemmed from his leadership of the nation’s security apparatus leading to enhanced synergy between the military, other security and intelligence agencies in the country.

He has recently coordinated a series of successful rescues of kidnapped victims in the northern part of the country.

“This is a celebration of African excellence and a call to recognise those shaping the future of the continent with their unwavering commitment to progress and innovation.

“Honourees were chosen for their significant local and global influence as well as their ability to create meaningful change.

“The 2025 honourees were selected through a rigorous methodology based on integrity, ethical leadership and commitment to societal well-being.

“They were also selected through the impact of contributions to transformative projects and initiatives as well as the recognition and influence within their respective fields,” the organisers said on the website.

The ‘roll of honour’ released on the organisations website also had the names of Dr Paul Enenche, the founder, Dunamis International Gospel Church; Mr Cosmos Maduka, Chairman of Coscharis Motors; and Senator Gbemisola Saraki.

While Enenche and Adeboye have appeared on the list in the past, Dr Daniel Olukoya, founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries is appearing for the first time.

Others are Bala Wunti, the Group General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA), as well as songwriter and worship singer, Osinachi Egbu, popularly known as “Sinach”.

Also on the list is Olukemi Badenoch, a Nigerian-born British politician, who is serving as the leader of the opposition and leader of the Conservative Party since November 2024.