The Oyo State Government has filed an eight-count charge against Naomi Silekunola, ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, proprietor of an Ibadan-based Adigbo FM, and Abdulahi Fasasi, Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, over the tragic funfair stampede that led to the death of 35 children on December 18, 2024.
The charge sheet, marked I/05C/2025, was filed before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on Friday, January 10, 2025. The defendants face charges including murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit criminal negligence, and other related offences under the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The incident reportedly stemmed from alleged inadequate security, crowd control, and medical preparedness at a children’s funfair organized by the defendants, leading to the stampede that claimed the lives of children aged 1.5 to 18 years.
The state government, listed as the complainant in the case, revealed details of 14 of the deceased victims in the charge sheet, including Musiliu Sofiat (8 years), Lekan Salami (7 years), Feyikemi Salam (1.5 years), Olaniyan Joshua (1.5 years) and several others.
Prosecutors argue that the defendant’s negligence directly contributed to the deaths, citing failure to ensure adequate safety measures at the event. Fasasi faces additional charges, including negligent acts causing harm and omission to provide sufficient security and medical facilities.
Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier pledged to ensure justice for the victims, stating that the state would prosecute those found culpable.
