An Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan, presided over by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, has adjourned the case involving Olori Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, proprietor of an Ibadan-based radio station; and the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
The case is now set for mention on March 24, 2025.
The trio appeared in court on Monday, two weeks after being granted bail by an Oyo State High Court.
They were initially remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Agodi, Ibadan, following a holden charge by the Chief Magistrate’s order.
Their release came after their respective legal representatives argued that a holden charge is not recognized under Nigerian law.
The case was scheduled for mention on Monday, but the court adjourned proceedings until March 24.
The decision follows the requests from the Counsel to the defendants, who pleaded for a longer date following the release 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.
The Nation 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Akinosi said, his client was in court so that the case can be withdrawn, since the defendants have not been charged in the High Court, hence the plea for a longer date within which proper arrangement in the high court will be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 contravened 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.
