STAMPEDE: OYO FILES MURDER CHARGES AGAINST OONI’S EX-QUEEN, OTHERS
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The Oyo State Government has filed eight charges, including murder and manslaughter, against the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the owner of an Ibadan-based radio station, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdulahi Fasasi, following the tragic stampede at a funfair on December 18, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
The charge sheet, identified as I/05C/2025, was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday and was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
The Oyo State Government is listed as the complainant, with Silekunola, Hamzat, and Fasasi named as the defendants.
The government charged the defendants of “conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offense to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence,” in the eighteen charges.
The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
In the charge sheet obtained, the prosecution disclosed the names and details of 14 out of the 35 children who died the incident.
They include Musiliu Sofiat, female, eight years; Lekan Salami, male, seven years; Feyikemi Salam, female, 1.5 years; Olaniyan Joshua, male, 1.5 years; Laeef Muisi, male, eight years; Opeyemi Ayomide, female, four years; Adebayo-Fatimah, female, four years; Adebayo-Abibat, female, five years; Adeyanju Taiwo, female, eight years; Salaudeen Khalid, male, minor; Anjorin Faridat, female, 10 years; Nahaam Muisi, male, 13 years; and Babatunde Toheeb, male, 18 years.
The state alleged that the defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you.”
It alleged that the defendants’ “negligent omission resulted in the death of Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8 years, and 34 other children, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
Fasasi is set to stand trial on four charges, including conspiracy, causing death by negligence, negligent acts leading to harm, and failing to provide proper security and medical services.
Last week, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, pledged that the state would proceed with prosecuting the defendants.
The defendants have been held in prison since December 24, after being arrested by the police.
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