Ibadan stampede: Court sends Ooni’s ex-wife, principal, journalist to prison

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in the Iyaganku area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has remanded the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the Principal of Basorun Islamic High School, Fasasi Abdullahi, and popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, in connection with the children’s funfair stampede which claimed 35 lives.

Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendants’ plea, due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered their remand at the Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

The prosecution counsel, Inspector Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that the defendants are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, and negligent acts causing harm.

Opaleye stated that the defendants allegedly invited some children for a funfair programme but failed to provide a conducive atmosphere with adequate security and medical facilities.

“The eventual stampede at the venue allegedly accelerated the death of eight-year-old Sofiat Musiliu, a female, and 34 others between the ages of five months to 13 years,” the prosecutor said.

Opaleye said the defendants conspired to commit the offences between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. at Islamic High School, Bashorun in Ibadan on Wednesday, December 18.

The prosecutor added that the offences were contrary to Sections 324, 311, 517 and 344 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

Ibadan funfair stampede: Ooni’s ex-wife hospitalised after arrest

Ogunkanmi, while ruling on the case, said she was remanding the defendants pending the issuance of legal advice from the state Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

She, thereafter, adjourned the matter until January 13, 2025, for mention.

The stampede had occurred when participants rushed to gain access to the venue of the event reportedly organised by Naomi and Hamzat.

It was later gathered that Naomi, who was arrested by the police, reportedly collapsed on Friday, December 20.

A popular broadcast journalist in Ibadan, Seun Aribikola, revealed this in a recent post on Facebook.

Aribikola said Naomi was immediately rushed to the Police Hospital in the Eleyele area of Ibadan for medical treatment.

The broadcast journalist said the ex-queen was taken to the hospital alongside the Chairman of Agidigbo FM, Hamzat.

The Star