The Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
These individuals were initially charged following the tragic stampede that occurred in December 2024 during a children’s festive party, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children.
The State’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the development in a media briefing after the court session. He acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the incident and explained the rationale behind the government’s decision to withdraw the case.
“It was a tragic event that led to multiple deaths. In legal practice, when deaths occur under unnatural circumstances, the law must take its course. Consequently, the state pursued legal action against those implicated in the investigation,” Aikomo stated.
“In such circumstances, the goal of prosecution is not persecution or retribution but justice. Considering these factors, we determined that discontinuing the charges was in the best interest of justice,” he added.
The case had been the subject of intense legal proceedings. Earlier, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan had granted bail to the three defendants. Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin ruled that Naomi be granted bail set at N10 million with two sureties, while Hamzat and Fasasi received similar bail conditions.
Additionally, the court imposed restrictions, requiring the accused to surrender their passports and refrain from media engagements.
The tragic stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, left the public and victims’ families in mourning. The government’s prosecution team had initially opposed bail for the defendants, citing the severity of the case and the need for justice for the victims. However, the defence successfully argued that the accused had cooperated with the investigation and did not pose a flight risk.
Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier emphasised the importance of holding those responsible accountable but was open to the possibility of bail during the legal proceedings.
