Oyo Govt Withdraws Case Against Ooni’s Former Wife, Journalist Oriyomi Hamzat, and Principal

The criminal charges against Abdullahi Fasasi, the head of Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, have been formally dismissed by the Oyo State Government.
According to reports, the three were first charged after a terrible stampede at a children’s celebration in December 2024 that claimed the lives of at least 35 youngsters.
Following Thursday’s trial, which marked their release from the charges, the defendants were clearly relieved, grinning and mingling.

Speaking to the media following the court session, Abiodun Aikomo, the attorney general of Oyo State, affirmed the ruling.

“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many,” Aikomo said during a live Facebook broadcast by SaharaReporters. As you can see, the law will take its course anytime a death occurs under conditions that are not natural. In response, the state filed charges against those involved in the inquiry.

We truly intended to file charges during that process, but the impacted parties demonstrated compassion. They were sympathetic. And to the best of their abilities, people attempt to change the sentiments of those who are impacted. Furthermore, we believed that the goal of prosecution was not to murder or persecute individuals. Stopping these charges is in the interest of justice, and that is what took place today.

This ruling comes after a protracted court proceeding. Before this, Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi had all been granted bail by the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan. Following the defendants’ presentation of their bail applications, Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin rendered the decision.

While Hamzat and Fasasi were also granted bail on identical circumstances, Naomi was given N10 million with two sureties. Along with prohibiting the suspects from conducting interviews and limiting their public appearances, the court also mandated that they submit their passports with the court.

The case started after hundreds of young children were killed in a frenzied rush after a terrible stampede that occurred during a children’s festival at Islamic High School, Bashorun, in December 2024. One of the most horrific events in Oyo State’s recent history, the tragedy devastated the people and the relatives of the victims.

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In order to emphasize the gravity of the accusations and the necessity for justice for the victims, the prosecution team, headed by the Attorney General of Oyo State, had first opposed granting bail to the defendants. The defense team countered that the accused did not represent a flight danger and had cooperated with the inquiry.

In the past, Governor Makinde had stated that the stampede’s perpetrators must stand prosecution, but he was also willing to grant bail while the case was pending.