An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday struck out the case against Queen Naomi Silekunolami, popular broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, and the principal of Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Abdullahi Fasasi, over the December 2024 stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children.
Justice B.K. Olawoyin of Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, ruled that proceeding with the case would discourage individuals with humanitarian intentions from supporting vulnerable people in society.
The defendants had faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities following the tragic Christmas Funfair incident on December 18, 2024.
Speaking after the verdict, Hamzat expressed appreciation for the court’s decision and vowed to continue his humanitarian work.
However, he stated that he would no longer collaborate with any organisation for such events in the future.
“The incident, rather than discourage me, will rather motivate me to scale up my humanitarian gestures to the people,” he said.
He added that previous events organised by him or his organisation had never resulted in such a tragedy.
Oyo State Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, also confirmed the court’s decision during a live Facebook broadcast.
“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many. And you see, in law, whenever death occurs and the circumstances are not natural, the law will take its course. So the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation,” he said.
Aikomo explained that while the state initially intended to prosecute, the defendants showed empathy and compassion toward the affected families.
“The essence of prosecution is not to kill people or persecute them. It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these charges, and that is what happened today,” he added.
Before this ruling, the court had granted bail to Queen Naomi, Hamzat and Fasasi.
Naomi was granted bail of N10 million with two sureties, while Hamzat and Fasasi received similar bail conditions.
The court also ordered them to deposit their passports and restricted them from granting interviews or engaging in extensive public discussions.
