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BREAKING: Oyo Govt Drops Charges Against Ooni’s Ex-Wife, School Principal, Others
- Oyo Govt Drops Charges Against Ooni’s Ex-Wife, School Principal, Others.
- Attorney General cites defendants’ empathy and justice considerations as reasons for dismissal.
- The tragic stampede in December 2024 claimed at least 35 children’s lives.
The Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal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 initially filed following the tragic stampede in December 2024 at a children’s festive party, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children. The case had drawn significant public attention, with families of the victims demanding justice.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that on Thursday, after a court session, the defendants were seen visibly relieved, exchanging smiles and pleasantries, signaling the end of their legal ordeal. The Attorney General of Oyo State, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the decision to discontinue the charges while addressing the media.
During a live broadcast by SaharaReporters, Aikomo explained, “It was an unfortunate incident that led to the loss of many innocent lives. In law, whenever death occurs under unnatural circumstances, the legal process must take its course. The state initially responded by filing charges against those implicated in the investigation. However, during the proceedings, the defendants demonstrated empathy and compassion toward the affected families.
“As far as humanly possible, they sought to console and make amends. Given the circumstances, we felt that the essence of prosecution is not to destroy lives but to seek justice. In the interest of justice, we have, therefore, decided to discontinue these charges.”
The decision follows an extensive legal process. Before the withdrawal, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan had granted bail to Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi. Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin ruled that Naomi be granted bail of N10 million with two sureties, while Hamzat and Fasasi were given bail under similar conditions.
Oyo Govt Drops Charges Against Ooni’s Ex-Wife
The court also mandated that the defendants surrender their passports and refrain from granting interviews or making public statements regarding the case.
The tragic incident at Islamic High School, Bashorun, had left the public and the victims’ families devastated, marking one of the most horrifying events in Oyo State’s recent history. The prosecution had initially opposed bail, citing the severity of the case and the need for accountability. However, the defense team argued that the accused had cooperated fully with the investigation and did not pose a flight risk.
Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier assured the public that those responsible would face legal consequences while also expressing a willingness to grant bail as due process unfolded. The withdrawal of charges now marks a major development in the case, bringing a legal resolution to an incident that shook the state.
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