- Safiu Kehinde
The Oyo State Government has dropped all charges against former wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
NPO reported that the trio were arraigned by the state government over the tragic stampede at a children’s event in December 2024, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children.
The charges against the defendants have, however, been dismissed during the court session on Thursday.
While confirming the development, the Oyo State Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, explained that the state government withdrew the charges as families of the stampede victims expressed empathy for the defendants.
“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. So we withdrew the charge and it was struck out by the court. There is no charge against them again, so they are free.” Aikomo said.
As captured in a now viral video shared on X, Oriyomi Hamzat, was all smiles as people congratulated him.