By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo state government has officially withdrawn the criminal cases pressed against a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the proprietor of an Ibadan based radio station, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal, Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Mr Abdulahi Fasasi over the December 24 stampede incident.
The stampede claimed the lives of at least 24 children at a children’s festive party in December 2024.
Corenews reports that, the state government had on January 12th, slammed an 18 count suit against the trio.
The suit with Charge number: I/05C/2025 is: the State government versus Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and Fasasi Abdulahi Babatunde.
The suit was filed at the State High Court on Friday, January 10th, 2025.
But, things took a new turn for the trio when the state announced its official withdrawal in court on Thursday.
The defendants who were in court could not hide their joy as they were visibly elated, smiling and exchanging pleasantries after the trial, signalling their relief and release from the charges.
The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the development while addressing the media after the court session.
He said, although, the state wanted to prosecute the trio on account of the incidence, but that the affected persons showed empathy and compassion which necessitated the change.
He said, “it was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many but 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.
“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to prosecute but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected parties.
“And the circumstance, we felt, 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.”
