Stampede: Court dismisses case against Queen Naomi, others

Naomi with former husband, Ooni of Ife

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Thursday, struck out the case instituted against Queen Naomi Silekunolami; popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the principal of Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdullahi Fasasi, over the December 2024 stampede that led to the death of 35 children in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In dismissing the case against the defendants, Justice B.K.Olawoyin of Court 8, Ibadan, stated that ruling otherwise would discourage individuals with humanitarian hearts to withdraw from supporting the vulnerable in the society.

The defendants faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities, following the tragedy that happened during the Christmas Funfair in Ibadan on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

The dismissal followed Oyo State government discontinuance of all charges against Naomi, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife; and other defendants.

The trio had initially faced legal action following the tragic incident which claimed the lives of at least 35 children.

Oyo State Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the development, explaining the rationale behind the court’s decision.

He said, “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.

“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to prosecute but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected parties. And the circumstance, we felt, 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. So we withdrew the charge and it was struck out by the court. There is no charge against them again, so they are free.

Addressing newsmen at the court premises on Thursday, Hamzat commended the court for the verdict, and pledged that the incident, rather than discourage him, will rather motivate him to scale up his humanitarian gestures to the people.

The broadcaster, however, said he will no longer collaborate with any organisation to hold such an event in the future.

He noted that such events held previously personally by him or his organisation have never witnessed death or such unfortunate incident.