Ibadan Stampede: Oyo Govt Takes Fresh Action Against Ooni’s Ex-Queen, Hamzat, Others
TheTalk.NG journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The Oyo state government led by Seyi Makinde has dragged Naomi Shilekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife; Hamzat Oriyomi, CEO of Agidigbo Radio; and Fasasi Abdullahi, principal of Islamic High School, to court.
Oyo files murder charges against Queen Naomi, others
The fresh charges was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
In a charge sheet seen on Sunday, January 12, filed eight counts bordering on murder against the ex-queen and others over their alleged roles in a stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children.
In the 18 counts, the government accused the defendants of “conspiracy to commit a felony to with: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offense to with: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.”
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.
Oyo files murder charges against Queen Naomi, others
The tragic incident occurred during a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan, leading to their detention at the Nigerian Correctional Services facility in Agodi since December 24.
The trio has remained in custody through the festive period, including Christmas and New Year.
The charge sheet was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
As reported by The Punch on Sunday, January 12, the Oyo state government was listed as the complainant, while Silekunola, Hamzat and Babatunde were named as defendants.
In the charge sheet obtained by The PUNCH, the prosecution disclosed the names and details of 14 out of the 35 children who died the incident.
They include;
- Musiliu Sofiat, female, 8 years;
- Lekan Salami, male, 7 years;
- Feyikemi Salam, female, 15 years;
- Olaniyan Joshua, male, 15 years;
- Laeef Muisi, male, 8 years;
- Opeyemi Ayomide, female, 4 years;
- Adebayo-Fatimah, female, 4 years;
- Adebayo-Abibat, female, 5 years;
- Adeyanju Taiwo, female, 8 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.”
Read more about Ibadan stampede here:
Queen Naomi’s mum speaks up
Earlier, TheTalk.NG reported that the mother of Queen Naomi Silekunola had shared what she knows about the Ibadan stampede that left some children dead.
She revealed the time when the number of people who trooped to benefit from her daughter’s philanthropy became massive.
Source: TheTalk.NG
