OYO STATE GOVERNMENT DROPS CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST NAOMI SILEKUNOLA, ORIYOMI HAMZAT, AND SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
The Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
The charges were initially filed following the tragic stampede that occurred during a children’s festive party in December 2024, which resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children. The devastating incident had led to widespread outrage and legal action against those believed to be responsible.
However, after the trial on Thursday, a video surfaced showing the defendants visibly relieved, smiling, and exchanging pleasantries—signaling their freedom from the case.
The Oyo State Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, has confirmed the withdrawal of criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdullahi Fasasi, following the December 2024 stampede that claimed the lives of at least 35 children at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
Speaking during a live media briefing monitored on SaharaReporters’ Facebook page, Aikomo described the incident as deeply unfortunate, stressing that legal action was necessary due to the unnatural circumstances of the deaths.
“In law, whenever a death occurs under unnatural circumstances, the law must take its course. That was why the state initially filed charges against those implicated in the investigation,” Aikomo stated.
However, he revealed that the defendants had shown genuine empathy and compassion, leading to a reconsideration of their prosecution.
“The essence of prosecution is not to kill or persecute people but to serve justice. Given the circumstances and the efforts of the accused to show remorse and support for the victims’ families, the state decided it was in the interest of justice to discontinue the charges,” he explained.
Before the charges were dismissed, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin, had granted bail to Naomi Silekunola, Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdullahi Fasasi.
Naomi was granted ₦10 million bail with two sureties.
Hamzat and Fasasi received bail under similar conditions.
The defendants were ordered to surrender their passports and barred from granting interviews, restricting their public engagements.
The case stemmed from a children’s festive party held at Islamic High School, Bashorun, in December 2024, where a stampede left at least 35 children dead. The horrifying tragedy devastated victims’ families and sent shockwaves across Oyo State, prompting public outcry and demands for accountability.
Initially, the Oyo State Government pursued legal action, arguing that those responsible must face trial. However, after weeks of legal proceedings, the state chose to discontinue the case, citing compassion and justice as key considerations.
Watch the video of the defendants smiling as they leave the courtroom below:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHaxMMrIyZw/?igsh=YWkzNTZoY3Z2Z2sy
