Stampede: Court strikes out murder charges against Queen Naomi, Oriyomi, other
The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out murder charges against the former Queen of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the proprietor of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat and principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi.
The three persons have been facing murder charges over the death of children who died in a stampede which occurred last December 2024 during a children funfair organized by the accused persons in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
No fewer than 35 children died during the tragic incident.
The court dismissed the four count charge, which included acceleration of death, conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm and failure to provide adequate medical facilities and security.
Justice B. K. Olawoyin, while delivering judgement on the matter, ruled that holding the defendants liable could discourage the public from engaging in humanitarian activities.
State's Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Biodun Aikomo, while reacting to the court judge in an interview, said “It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these case. So we withdrew the charge and it was struck out by the court. There is no case against them again, they are now free”.
