The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has dismissed murder charges against Queen Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School.
The trio had been facing charges over the December 2024 children’s event stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice B. K. Olawoyin ruled that holding the defendants liable could discourage the public from engaging in humanitarian efforts. The court struck out the four-count charge, which included acceleration of death, conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate medical facilities and security.
Reacting to the verdict, Oyo State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Biodun Aikomo, stated, “It is in the interest of justice to discontinue this 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.”
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