The Oyo State Government has formally dismissed criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, the Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the proprietor of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan.
The charges were brought against the trio after a catastrophic stampede in December 2024, which killed at least 35 children during a festive gathering.
The defendants appeared relieved, smiling and sharing pleasantries following the trial on Thursday, suggesting their discharge from the charges.
After the court session, Oyo State Attorney General Abiodun Aikomo spoke to the media and affirmed the ruling.
During a live Facebook broadcast by SaharaReporters, Aikomo stated: “It was an unfortunate incident that resulted in the deaths of many people.” And, you know, in law, anytime death occurs under conditions that are not natural, the law takes its course. So the state responded by charging the people involved in the probe.
“During the process, we intended to prosecute, but the victims showed empathy. They demonstrated compassion. And, to the best of their ability, humans attempt to persuade the impacted parties. And in this case, we felt that the essence of prosecution was not to kill or persecute individuals. It is in the interest of justice to drop these charges, which is what occurred today.”
This verdict comes after a lengthy legal process. Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi had already been granted bail by the Ibadan-based Oyo State High Court. Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin issued the decision after the defendants presented their bail applications.
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Naomi was granted N10 million bail with two sureties, while Hamzat and Fasasi were also granted bail under identical conditions. The court also ordered that the suspects leave their passports with the court and refrain from giving interviews, so limiting their public appearances.
The case arose from a fatal stampede during a children’s festival at Islamic High School, Bashorun, in December 2024, in which dozens of young children died in a chaotic rush. The sad tragedy, which was one of the most horrifying incidents in recent memory in Oyo State, left the public and the victims’ families devastated.
The prosecution team, lead by the Attorney General of Oyo State, was initially opposed to granting bail to the defendants, citing the gravity of the accusations and the need for justice for the victims. However, the defense team said that the accused had cooperated with the inquiry and did not constitute a flight danger.
Governor Makinde had earlier stated that those responsible for the stampede should face justice, but he also signaled willingness to give bail throughout the hearings.
