The Oyo State Government has filed eight charges, including murder and manslaughter, against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of an Ibadan-based radio station; and Abdulahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, in connection with the deadly stampede during a children’s funfair on December 18, 2024, that resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
The charges, which were filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, are outlined in charge sheet I/05C/2025, which was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday. The Oyo State Government is listed as the complainant, while Silekunola, Hamzat, and Fasasi are named as the defendants.
The state accuses the defendants of conspiring to commit a felony, including murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence, and failure to ensure adequate safety measures. These offences are said to violate and are punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
According to the charge sheet, 14 of the 35 children who tragically lost their lives in the incident have been identified. Among them are: Musiliu Sofiat (8 years, female), Lekan Salami (7 years, male), Feyikemi Salam (1.5 years, female), Olaniyan Joshua (1.5 years, male), Laeef Muisi (8 years, male), Opeyemi Ayomide (4 years, female), Adebayo-Fatimah (4 years, female), Adebayo-Abibat (5 years, female), Adeyanju Taiwo (8 years, female), Salaudeen Khalid (minor, male), Anjorin Faridat (10 years, female), Nahaam Muisi (13 years, male), and Babatunde Toheeb (18 years, male).
The state alleges that the defendants failed to provide adequate security, crowd control measures, and medical facilities to prevent the deadly stampede at the children’s event, which directly led to the deaths of Sofiat and 34 other children. These actions, the government claims, amounted to criminal negligence, punishable under Sections 308 and 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
Fasasi is facing a four-count charge, including conspiracy, manslaughter, negligence causing harm, and failure to provide necessary security and medical facilities.
Last week, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde pledged that the government would ensure the prosecution of those responsible for the tragic incident.
The accused individuals have been in police custody since December 24, 2024, following their arrests.
