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Ibadan Stampede: Naomi, Hamzat Face 18-Count Manslaughter Charges
By Benjamin Abioye
The Oyo State Government has filed an 18-count charge, including manslaughter, against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the Principal of Islamic High School.
The charges are connected to a tragic stampede during a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan that claimed the lives of 35 children.
A government insider confirmed the charges, stating, “The court will most likely grant bail on Monday, but the state government has filed an 18-count charge of manslaughter and similar offences against the defendants.”
On January 7, during a hearing at the Oyo State High Court, the defence team strongly pushed for bail. They argued that the accused had cooperated fully with investigations and did not pose any flight risk. Additionally, the defence lawyers questioned the legality of the defendants’ detention, describing it as a breach of due process. They challenged the “holding charge” under which the accused were remanded, stating it was not recognized under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The prosecution, led by the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, opposed the bail applications. Aikomo argued, “The gravity of the charges and the need for justice for the victims and their families necessitate the continued detention of the accused persons.” He dismissed the defence’s claims of persecution by the government, calling them unfounded.
Justice K.B. Olawoyin, after hearing arguments from both sides, announced that he would deliver a ruling on the bail applications on Monday, January 13, 2025.
The case centers around three individuals: Naomi Silekunola, who is the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the Principal of Islamic High School. These defendants are now facing serious legal battles over their alleged roles in the funfair tragedy that shocked the Ibadan community
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