The Oyo State Government has withdrawn criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, following the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of at least 35 children in December 2024.
The decision was announced on Thursday after the defendants appeared in court, visibly relieved and exchanging pleasantries as the charges were dropped. The state’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, addressed the media, explaining that the withdrawal was made in the interest of justice and after the defendants demonstrated empathy and compassion toward the victims’ families.
“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the loss of many lives. In such cases, the law must take its course, and the state initially filed charges against those implicated in the investigation,” Aikomo stated. “However, the affected individuals showed genuine remorse and worked to address the grievances of the victims’ families. Given these circumstances, we felt it was just to discontinue the charges.”
The tragic stampede occurred during a children’s festive party at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, in December 2024. The incident, one of the deadliest in recent Oyo State history, left families and the public in mourning.
Earlier, the Oyo State High Court had granted bail to Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi. Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin set bail at N10 million for Naomi, with similar terms for Hamzat and Fasasi. The court also required the defendants to surrender their passports and refrain from granting public interviews.
Governor Seyi Makinde had previously emphasized the need for accountability, insisting that those responsible for the stampede must face trial. However, he also expressed openness to bail during the legal proceedings.
The prosecution, led by the Attorney General, had initially opposed bail, citing the gravity of the charges and the need for justice for the victims. However, the defense argued that the accused had cooperated with investigators and posed no flight risk.
The withdrawal of charges marks a significant turn in the case, which has drawn widespread attention and sparked debates about accountability and justice in the wake of the tragedy.
