The Oyo State Government has withdrawn the case against former Queen Naomi Ogunwusi, radio presenter Oriyomi Hamzat, and the Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Abdullahi Fasasi, over the tragic Ibadan stampede that claimed many lives.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court struck out the charges on Thursday and ordered the release of the defendants’ international passports.
During the court session, the judge advised the defendants to be careful in the future to avoid similar incidents.
Oyo State Attorney-General, Abiodun Aikomo, described the incident as unfortunate and explained why the government decided to drop the case.
“In law, when a death occurs under unnatural circumstances, the law must take its course. So, the state responded by filing charges against those found responsible,” he said.
However, Aikomo noted that the accused persons showed empathy and took steps to comfort the affected families.
“They tried to ease the pain of the victims’ families, and we felt that the goal of prosecution is not to destroy people but to serve justice. It was in the interest of justice to discontinue the case, and that is what happened today,” he added.
The defendants had been facing a four-count charge, including conspiracy, negligence, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities. These offences violated Sections 308, 324, 344, and 516 of the Oyo State Criminal Code Laws of 2000.
The case was related to the December 2024 stampede at a children’s Christmas funfair in Basorun, Ibadan, where at least 35 children lost their lives.
Earlier, the court had granted bail to Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties each, while ordering them to submit their passports.
With the case now struck out, the defendants are free from prosecution, but the tragedy remains a painful memory for many families.
