Key Points
- A funfair stampede killed 35 children in Ibadan.
- Ooni’s ex-wife and two others face conspiracy charges.
- The court remanded them at Agodi Correctional Centre.
On Tuesday, a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, ordered the remand of Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of a private radio station in Ibadan; Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; and Abdullah Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, to the Agodi Correctional Center.
Funfair tragedy claims lives of 35 children in Ibadan
The remand order was given by Chief Magistrate Bisi Ogunkanmi, who is in charge of the Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court.
The allegations include conspiracy and murder in relation to a deadly stampede that occurred during a children’s funfair last Wednesday. According to reports, 35 youngsters were killed in the event that took place at Islamic High School in Bashorun.
BusinessDay reports that Naomi Silekunola’s funfair on December 18 went horribly wrong, leading to the arrest of Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, the school principal, and six other people. On Monday night, however, six of the accused were freed by the Oyo State Police Command.
The suspects who were released were identified as Olowola Oluwatosin, Genesis Christopher, Tanimowo Moruf, Anisoloja Olabode, Idowu Ibrahim, and Abiola Oluwatimileyin. They had previously been detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Iyaganku. The remaining three suspects, meanwhile, were charged with four counts and were arraigned on Tuesday.
The defendants’ activities were in violation of Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, the police prosecutor told the court. According to the prosecution, their participation fueled the stampede that resulted in the catastrophe.
Court orders remand at Agodi pending DPP’s legal advice
To the charges, the defendants entered a not guilty plea. In order to await legal counsel from the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Chief Magistrate ordered their remand at Agodi Correctional Center.
For a follow-up hearing, the matter was postponed until January 14, 2025.
