Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Ooni’s Ex-Wife, Others to Face Murder Charges, Says Oyo Govt

Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, is facing murder charges in connection with the December 18, 2024, funfair stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children.

The two others are Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of an Ibadan-based radio station, and Abdulahi Fasasi, Principal of Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan.

However, the exact number of charges is 18, not eight, with the government alleging manslaughter and related offenses.

The charge, marked I/05C/2025, was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025 before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.

The state government was listed as the complainant while Silekunola, Hamzat and Babatunde were named as defendants.

In the 18 counts, the government accused the defendants of conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offense to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.

Fasasi faces trial on a four-count charge, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

Last week, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had vowed that the state would prosecute the defendants.

According to Persecondnews, the defendants have been in jail custody since December 24 when they were detained by the police.

The offences violated Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The prosecution disclosed the names and information of 14 of the 35 children who perished in the incident, according to the charge sheet.

They include Musiliu Sofiat, female, eight years, Lekan Salami, male, seven years, Feyikemi Salam, female, 1.5 years, Olaniyan Joshua, male, 1.5 years, Laeef Muisi, male, eight years, Opeyemi Ayomide, female, four years, Adebayo-Fatimah, female, four years, Adebayo-Abibat, female, five years, Adeyanju Taiwo, female, eight years, Salaudeen Khalid, male, minor, Anjorin Faridat, female, 10 years, Nahaam Muisi, male, 13 years, and Babatunde Toheeb, male, 18 years.

The defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair program organized by you,” according to the state.

Source: Per Second News