Stampede: Oyo state government drops charges against Ooni’s former wife, broadcaster Hamzat, school principal
The Oyo State Government has dropped the 18-count criminal case against Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, along with broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat and Fasasi Abdullahi, a School Principal
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that the charges were filed following a stampede at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, during a children’s funfair on December 18, 2024.
The Oyo State Attorney General Abiodun Aikomo in a video on Thursday announced that the case had been dismissed, explaining that that the decision to drop the charges was made in the interest of justice.
Penpushing further reports that Aikomo addressing journalists after the court session, said It was an unfortunate incident in December that led to the death of some children, explaining that in law, whenever death occurs and the circumstances are not natural, the law will take its course.
“It was an unfortunate incident in December that led to the death of some children, and you see, in law, whenever death occurs and the circumstances are not natural, the law will take its course. So, the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation’, he stated.
“And in doing that, we wanted to prosecute, but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected parties.”
Penpushing also reports that the Attorney General emphasised that prosecuting the trio was the government’s most appropriate action rather than considering any alternative.
“And the circumstance, we felt, the essence of prosecution is not to kill people or persecute them. It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these charges, which is what happened today. So we withdrew the charge, and the court struck it out. There is no charge against them again, so they are free’, he said.
Penpushing reports that it is recalled that Oyo State Police Command confirmed the deaths of 35 minors following a tragic stampede, and subsequently announced the arrest of eight suspects concerning the incident.
The Command Public Relations Officer Adewale Osifeso, thereafter explained that the case was subsequently handed over to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Penpushing further reports that the trio were later arraigned at the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, while the Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi presiding over the case declined to take their plea, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
The Magistrate ordered that the accused should be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre pending further legal proceedings, while the state government accused them of failing to ensure proper security, crowd control, and medical preparedness at the event where the tragedy occurred.
The government initially filed charges against them at the Oyo State High Court, with reference I/05C/2025 based on Sections 308 and 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, but later withdrew the case.
Penpushing also reports that it is recalled that the defendants were eventually granted bail set at N10 million each, which they successfully fulfilled.
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