An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has dropped murder charges against Queen Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, founder of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School.
The three had been facing prosecution following a stampede at a children’s event in December 2024, which led to the deaths of 35 children.
In his judgment on Thursday, Justice B. K. Olawoyin ruled that prosecuting the defendants could discourage people from engaging in charitable activities.
The court dismissed all four charges, which included conspiracy, negligence causing harm, inadequate security measures, and failure to provide proper medical assistance.
Reacting to the ruling, Oyo State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General Biodun Aikomo stated that withdrawing the case was in the best interest of justice.
“There is no case against them anymore; they are now free,” he confirmed.