The Oyo state government led by Seyi Makinde has dragged Naomi Shilekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife; Hamzat Oriyomi, CEO of Agidigbo Radio; and Fasasi Abdullahi, principal of Islamic High School, to court.
Oyo files murder charges against Queen Naomi, others
The government filed fresh charges against the trio on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
In a charge sheet seen on Sunday, January 12, filed eight counts bordering on murder against the ex-queen and others over their alleged roles in a stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children.
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The government accused the defendants of “conspiracy to commit a felony to with: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offense to with: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.”
The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
In the charge sheet obtained by The PUNCH, the prosecution disclosed the names and details of 14 out of the 35 children who died the incident.
- Musiliu Sofiat, female, 8 years;
- Lekan Salami, male, 7 years;
- Feyikemi Salam, female, 15 years;
- Olaniyan Joshua, male, 15 years;
- Laeef Muisi, male, 8 years;
- Opeyemi Ayomide, female, 4 years;
- Adebayo-Fatimah, female, 4 years;
- Adebayo-Abibat, female, 5 years;
- Adeyanju Taiwo, female, 8 years;
- Salaudeen Khalid, male, minor;
- Anjorin Faridat, female, 10 years;
- Nahaam Muisi, male, 13 years; and
- Babatunde Toheeb, male, 18 years.
As reported by The Punch on Sunday, January 12, the Oyo state government was listed as the complainant, while Silekunola, Hamzat and Babatunde were named as defendants.
The state alleged that the defendants;
“Negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you.”
Read more about Ibadan stampede here:
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