JUST IN: Oyo Government Drops Charges Against Ooni’s Ex-Wife, Oriyomi Hamzat, and School Principal Over Ibadan Stampede

The Oyo State Government has formally withdrawn criminal charges against Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, founder of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. The charges were connected to the tragic stampede that occurred during a children’s festive party in December 2024, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children.

Following Thursday’s court session, the defendants were visibly relieved, exchanging smiles and pleasantries as they exited the courtroom. The state’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the decision to drop the charges, speaking to reporters shortly after the proceedings.

“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many,” Aikomo said. “The law had to take its course. But during the process, the affected persons showed empathy and compassion. In the interest of justice, we decided to discontinue the charges. That is what happened today.”

The case had previously drawn significant public attention. Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi were granted bail by the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin. Naomi was granted bail at N10 million with two sureties, while Hamzat and Fasasi received similar terms. The court also ordered the defendants to surrender their passports and restricted them from speaking to the media.

The charges stemmed from a deadly stampede at Islamic High School in December 2024 during a festive event for children. The tragedy left families and the broader public reeling, with widespread calls for accountability. At the time, the state government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, vowed to pursue justice for the victims, though the Governor had also supported the court’s decision to grant bail to the accused.

The prosecution had initially opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the incident. However, the defence maintained that the accused had cooperated with investigations and posed no flight risk. With today’s decision, the legal proceedings come to an unexpected close, marking a significant turn in one of Oyo State’s most heartbreaking recent cases.