The Oyo State Government has pressed an 18-count criminal charge against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, alongside popular radio proprietor Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal of Islamic High School in Ibadan, Bashorun Abdulahi Fasasi, in connection with the tragic stampede at a children’s funfair that claimed the lives of over 35 individuals.
The case, filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the State High Court, is registered under charge number I/05C/2025.
The trio faces accusations of conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence, and other related charges.
According to the charge sheet, the accused failed to provide sufficient security, crowd control measures, and medical facilities during the ill-fated funfair held at the Islamic High School.
Their alleged negligence is said to have led to a stampede that resulted in the deaths of 35 children, with 14 victims named in court documents.
The prosecution accuses the defendants of conspiring to commit acts of criminal negligence, in violation of Section 517 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The charge sheet claims the trio “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control measures, 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 an additional four-count charge, including conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to ensure safety at the event.
The case, registered as charge number C/2024, is titled The Commissioner of Police vs. Naomi Silekunola (31), Oriyomi Hamzat (51), and Fasasi Abdulahi Babatunde (56).
Although the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) advice is yet to be finalised, sources suggest that the new charges filed by the state government are a result of recommendations made in the DPP’s review of the incident.
As of the time of this report, efforts to confirm whether the DPP’s advice has been issued to the police for submission to the Chief Magistrate were unsuccessful.
The tragic incident, which shocked Ibadan, has continued to spark public outrage, with many demanding swift justice for the victims.
The state government’s legal action signals its determination to hold the accused accountable for their alleged roles in the tragedy.