The Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn the criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola (ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife), Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat (Agidigbo FM owner), and Abdullahi Fasasi (principal of Islamic High School) in connection to the Ibadan stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children in December 2024.
The defendants, visibly relieved, were seen smiling and exchanging pleasantries following the trial on Thursday. The charges, initially filed in relation to the tragic incident, have now been dropped, signifying their release from criminal liability.
The announcement of their discharge came during a court hearing on Thursday, where the defendants, visibly elated, exchanged smiles and pleasantries, signaling their relief at being cleared of any criminal liability in the unfortunate incident.
The stampede, which shocked the nation, had initially raised concerns over safety measures at public events, leading to widespread calls for accountability. However, after months of legal proceedings and investigations, the government opted to drop the charges, citing insufficient evidence or other legal considerations.
While the development has sparked mixed reactions among the public, legal experts suggest that the decision might have been influenced by a lack of concrete proof directly linking the accused to the unfortunate tragedy. Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to demand justice and stricter safety regulations to prevent a recurrence of such disasters.
