An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has struck out the charges against Noami Silekunolami, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, over the December 2024 stampede that led to the death of 35 children in the state.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice B. K. Olawoyin ruled that holding the defendants liable could discourage others from engaging in humanitarian activities.
The court dismissed the four-count charge, which included conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
The stampede occurred on December 18, during a Christmas funfair organised by Silekunolami in partnership with Hamzat. The event meant for children from less privileged backgrounds turned tragic when overcrowding led to the stampede, injuring many children and killing 35.
FIJ had reported how the large crowds gathered at the venue a day before the incident, with poor crowd control contributing to the disaster.
Prosecutors had argued that the defendants failed to implement necessary safety measures, resulting in the deaths and injuries. The trio had been detained since December but were granted bail on January 13.
Bail conditions included a N10 million bond, two sureties with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, and the submission of their international passports. They were also barred from granting interviews during the trial.
In an interview published by Sahara Reporters after the judgment, Biodun Aikomo, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Oyo State, said the government initially sought to prosecute the case but decided to withdraw the charges due to the empathy and compassion shown to and by the affected families.
He added that efforts had been made to console the bereaved, and in the interest of justice, the state opted not to proceed with the trial.
