The Oyo State Government has brought an 18-count criminal charge against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, along with radio executive Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Abdulahi Fasasi.
This follows the deadly stampede at a children’s funfair that resulted in over 35 fatalities.
The charges, filed on January 10, 2025, at the State High Court under case number I/05C/2025, include conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence, and related offenses.
The charge sheet, obtained by The PUNCH, states that the accused failed to provide sufficient security, crowd control measures, and medical facilities at the event held at Islamic High School, contributing to the deadly stampede.
As a result of their alleged negligence, 35 children lost their lives, with 14 victims named in court documents.
The prosecution accuses the defendants of conspiring to commit criminal negligence in violation of Section 517 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
According to the charge sheet, the accused individuals “negligently failed to provide adequate security, crowd control measures, and medical facilities, resulting in the death of Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8, and 34 other children.”
The offense is punishable under Sections 308 and 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Additionally, Fasasi faces a separate four-count charge, including conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm, and failing to ensure safety at the event.
This case, filed as The Commissioner of Police vs. Naomi Silekunola (31), Oriyomi Hamzat (51), and Fasasi Abdulahi Babatunde (56), is still pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Sources suggest that the charges filed by the government are based on recommendations from the DPP’s review of the incident. At the time of this report, efforts to confirm the DPP’s advice to the police had been unsuccessful.
The tragedy, which shocked Ibadan and the nation, has sparked widespread public outrage, with many demanding swift justice for the victims.
The Oyo State Government’s legal action signals its commitment to holding the accused accountable for their alleged roles in the catastrophe.
