Oyo State Government Withdraws Charges Against Queen Naomi Over Tragic School Stampede.
The Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. The charges were in connection with the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of over 35 children during a festive event in December 2024.
Following the court’s decision on Thursday, the defendants were visibly relieved, smiling and exchanging pleasantries as they walked free from the legal proceedings.
Attorney-General Confirms Withdrawal of Charges
The Attorney-General of Oyo State, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the development while addressing the media. He explained that while the tragic loss of life warranted a legal response, the decision to withdraw the case was based on the defendants’ demonstration of empathy and efforts to console the affected families.
“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many. And in law, whenever death occurs under unnatural circumstances, the law must take its course,” Aikomo stated.
He continued: “The state filed charges based on the investigation, and we initially intended to prosecute. However, the defendants showed genuine empathy and compassion. Justice is not about punishment alone but about fairness. In this case, it was in the interest of justice to discontinue the charges, and that is what happened today.”
Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Prior to the withdrawal of charges, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan had granted bail to the three defendants.
Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin set Naomi’s bail at ₦10 million with two sureties, while Hamzat and Fasasi received similar bail terms. The court also ordered the defendants to surrender their passports and refrain from granting media interviews.
A Tragic Incident That Shook Oyo State
The case stemmed from a devastating stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, where dozens of children lost their lives during a chaotic rush at a festive gathering. The incident sent shockwaves across the state, leaving families in deep mourning and raising concerns over event safety.
Initially, the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General, had opposed bail, citing the severity of the tragedy and the need for justice. However, the defence argued that the accused had cooperated fully with investigations and posed no flight risk.
With the charges now dropped, the legal battle has come to an end, though the memory of the tragedy remains fresh in the minds of many.
