There is jubilation in the air as the Oyo State Government officially withdrew the criminal charges against Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife, Prophetess Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, and Fasasi Abdullahi Fasasi over the fatal stampede at Islamic High School Bashorun in December 2024.
The Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General of Oyo, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed the development on Wednesday while addressing journalists after the ruling.
The Ibadan High Court struck out the case after it was withdrawn by the attorney-general.
After the court session, Aikomo said the state withdrew the case as the suspects showed empathy and compassion.
Also speaking, Abdulwaheed Olajide, counsel to Fasasi, said the families of the victims and the defendants reached an agreement to settle the matter out of court.
Refreshing your memory, in December, Naomi had gotten herself into trouble with her charity work. The mother of the crown prince, alongside Oriyomi Hazmat, had organized an event to feed the less privileged. Unfortunately, the event led to the death of over 32 children which was caused by a stampede.
The former Queen was arrested alongside Hazmat, and were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
In January, the Oyo State Government had filed an 18-count criminal charges against the trio. They were accused of offenses including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence, and other related charges. The charge sheet said they failed to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities during the ill-fated funfair event held at the Islamic High School.
The trio was later granted bail by an Oyo State High Court. The judge gave five conditions for the bail, including N10 million and two sureties who must submit landed documents within the court’s jurisdiction. They must deposit their international passports with the court and were barred from granting any form of interview during the pendency of the case.
