The Oyo State government has launched a new legal action against Olori Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, along with Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of an Ibadan radio station, and Mr. Abdulahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan.
This 18-count lawsuit, designated as charge number I/05C/2025, was submitted to the State High Court on Friday, January 10, 2025.
In this case, the Oyo State Government is the complainant, while Silekunola, Hamzat, and Fasasi are named as defendants.
The charges encompass conspiracy to commit a felony, including murder and manslaughter, as well as conspiracy to engage in criminal negligence.
These alleged offenses are said to violate and be punishable under section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II of the Law of Oyo State, 2000.
The prosecution’s charge sheet details the names and information of 14 out of the 35 reported victims of a tragic stampede.
Among those listed are: Musiliu Sofiyah, female, 8 years; Lekan Salami, male, 7 years; Feyikemi Salam, female, 1.5 years; Olaniyan Joshua, male, 1.5 years; and Laeef Muisi, male, 8 years.
Additional names include: Opeyemi Ayomide, female, 4 years; Adebayo-Fatimah, female, 4 years; Adebayo-Abibat, female, 5 years; Adeyanju Taiwo, female, 8 years; Salaudeen Khalid, male, minor; Anjorin Faridat, female, 10 years; Nahaam Muisi, male, 13 years; and Babatunde Toheeb, male, 18 years.
The charges further assert that the accused “conspired together to commit a felony, specifically criminal negligence, thus committing an offense contrary to and punishable under section 517 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Law of Oyo State, 2000.”
“Did negligently omit to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a st@mpede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you, and your negligent omission resulted in the de@th of one Musiliu Sofiat, ‘f’, aged 8 years, and 34 other children, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 308 and punishable under section 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
Two different courts in Ibadan will also be hearing matters related to the trio on Monday, Jan. 13.
While an Oyo State High Court will be ruling on the bail application of the trio before it, a Chief Magistrate’s Court will be hearing the case after it adjourned last year and ordered the defendants to be kept at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
Justice K. B Olawoyin, presiding over Court 8, Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, also fixed Monday, 13th January 2025, to deliver his ruling on the bail application filed by Olori Naomi Silekunola, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and Abdulahi Fasasi.
