Ibadan, Nigeria – The Oyo State Government has formally filed eight charges, including murder and manslaughter, against Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Oriyomi Hamzat, a prominent radio station owner, and Abdulahi Fasasi, the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. The charges stem from the December 18, 2024, funfair stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children.
The case, referenced as I/05C/2025, was filed before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on January 10, 2025. The defendants face allegations of conspiracy, criminal negligence, and failing to implement adequate safety measures to prevent the tragic incident.
Details of the Charges
The government contends that the negligence of the accused in ensuring proper security, crowd control, and medical preparedness directly contributed to the stampede. The tragedy occurred during a children’s funfair in Ibadan, resulting in the untimely deaths of young attendees.
In a chilling revelation, the charge sheet identifies 14 of the victims, aged between 1.5 and 18 years, including:
- Musiliu Sofiat, female, 8 years
- Lekan Salami, male, 7 years
- Feyikemi Salam, female, 1.5 years
- Laeef Muisi, male, 8 years
- Adebayo-Fatimah, female, 4 years
- Salaudeen Khalid, male, minor
- Anjorin Faridat, female, 10 years
The government alleges that the defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities,” thereby violating Sections 324, 308, and 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
Individual Charges
Abdulahi Fasasi faces additional charges, including conspiracy, negligent acts leading to harm, and acceleration of death. The prosecution insists that their actions or inactions resulted in the avoidable loss of lives.
Government’s Commitment to Justice
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and their families. “This tragedy should never have occurred. We will hold all responsible parties accountable for their actions,” he stated last week.
Legal Proceedings and Detention
The accused have been in police custody since December 24, 2024. The state prosecutor is set to argue that their negligence directly caused the deaths of the children. The charges carry severe penalties, highlighting the gravity of the incident.
As the case unfolds, residents and families of the victims are calling for accountability and stricter measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Stay updated with Hobnob News for further developments on this critical case.
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