In a surprising turn of events, the Oyo State government has dropped the murder and negligence charges against Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, as well as Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the proprietor of Agidigbo FM, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan .
The charges were initially filed in connection with a tragic stampede that occurred at a Christmas funfair organized by Silekunola and Hamzat, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children. The defendants were accused of conspiracy, murder, manslaughter, and negligence .
However, in a recent court proceeding, the Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, applied for the withdrawal of the charges, citing compassion and the good conduct of the defendants. The judge subsequently struck out the charges, effectively clearing the defendants of any wrongdoing.
The defendants had spent nearly a month in custody before being released on bail. They were initially arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, but the case was later transferred to the Oyo State High Court.
The withdrawal of the charges brings an end to the highly publicized case, which had sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice for the victims and their families.
