The Oyo State Government has filed murder charges against three people including Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife 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.
Persecondnews recalls that the defendants have been in prison custody since December 24 following their arrest by the police.
The offences violated Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution disclosed the names and details of 14 out of the 35 children who died in the incident.
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 state alleged that the defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you”.
It alleged that the defendants’ negligent omission resulted in the death of Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8 years, and 34 other children, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 344 of the Criminal Code, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
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