The Oyo State Government has filed an 18-count criminal charge against the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, alongside popular radio proprietor Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdulahi Fasasi, following the tragic stampede at a children’s funfair event that claimed over 35 lives.
The case, which was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the State High Court, is marked with charge number I/05C/2025.
The trio were accused of offences including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence, and other related charges.
The charge sheet, obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday revealed that the accused individuals failed to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities during the ill-fated funfair event held at the Islamic High School.
Their alleged negligence led to a stampede, resulting in the deaths of 35 children, with 14 victims identified in court documents.
The prosecution accused the defendants of conspiring to commit acts of criminal negligence, contrary to Section 517 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
According to the charge sheet, the trio, “Did negligently omit to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities, resulting in the death of Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8, and 34 other children.”
The offence is punishable under Sections 308 and 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
Fasasi, the school principal, faces a separate four-count charge, including conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to ensure safety at the event venue.
The case with charge number C/2024 is filed as The Commissioner of Police vs. Naomi Silekunola (31), Oriyomi Hamzat (51), and Fasasi Abdulahi Babatunde (56).
Although the Director of Public Prosecution’s advice on the case is yet to be finalized, sources indicate that the new charges filed by the government stem from the recommendations made in the DPP’s review of the incident.
As of the time of this report, efforts to confirm the issuance of the DPP’s advice to the police for submission to the Chief Magistrate were unsuccessful.
The tragic incident, which shook Ibadan to its core, continues to draw public outrage, with many calling for swift justice for the victims.
The state government, through this legal action, appears determined to hold the accused accountable for their alleged roles in the tragedy.(Punch)
