Oyo Drops Charges Against Ooni’s Ex Others

The Oyo State Government has dropped all charges against ex-Ooni’s wife, Oriyomi Hamzat, and a school principal over the 2024 stampede.

The Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn the criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.

These charges were initially filed following the tragic stampede that occurred during a children’s festive event in December 2024, which led to the deaths of at least 35 children. The heartbreaking incident had sparked outrage and calls for accountability.

Following the court session on Thursday, the defendants were seen visibly relieved, exchanging pleasantries as the case was dismissed. The Attorney General of Oyo State, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the decision, stating that while the government initially pursued prosecution, they later decided to discontinue the case in the interest of justice.

“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many. And you see, in law, whenever death occurs and the circumstances are not natural, the law will take its course. So the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation,” Aikomo explained.

He further noted that although the government had been prepared to prosecute, the accused individuals had shown empathy and compassion toward the victims’ families. “As far as human beings can do, they tried to persuade the feelings of the affected parties. And in the circumstance, we felt that the essence of prosecution is not to kill people or persecute them. It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these charges, and that is what happened today,” he added.

The case had gone through an extensive legal process before this decision. Earlier, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan had granted bail to Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi. Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin ruled that Naomi should be released on a N10 million bail with two sureties, while Hamzat and Fasasi received similar bail conditions. The court also ordered them to surrender their passports and restricted them from public statements and interviews.

The tragic event, which occurred at Islamic High School, Bashorun, had left families devastated, as dozens of children lost their lives in the chaotic rush. The case had drawn widespread attention, with many demanding justice for the victims.

Initially, the prosecution, led by the Attorney General, had argued against granting bail, emphasizing the gravity of the charges. However, the defense maintained that the accused had cooperated with investigations and posed no flight risk.

Governor Makinde had previously insisted that those responsible for the incident must be held accountable but had also shown a willingness to allow due legal processes to take their course. With the charges now dropped, the focus may shift toward ensuring better safety measures at public events to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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