In a tragic turn of events, a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the remand of Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, and Abdullahi Fasasi, Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun. The trio will spend Christmas and New Year in custody at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
The court’s decision, handed down by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, follows their arraignment in connection with the December 15 stampede at a children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan. The incident, held at Islamic High School, Basorun, claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others injured.
Charges and Court Proceedings
The defendants face four charges, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities during the event. The case file, marked C/2024: Commissioner of Police Versus Naomi Silekunola ‘f’ 31 years, Oriyomi Hamzat ‘m’ 51 years, and Abdulahi Fasasi, ‘m’ 56 years, was presented to the court on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, defense lawyers contested the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the magistrates’ court lacked the authority to adjudicate the offenses. Counsel for the school principal, Waheed Olajide, argued that the suspects should remain in police custody rather than being remanded in a correctional facility. Similarly, Hamzat’s lawyer, Ridwan Adekunle, referenced a prior agreement with legal officers to keep his client in police custody due to health concerns.
However, Magistrate Ogunkanmi ruled against their submissions, citing her discretion to remand the suspects at the correctional facility until legal advice is provided by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). She emphasized that the police should have considered the suspects’ health conditions before bringing them to court.
Remand and Adjournment
The court adjourned the case until January 13, 2025, for mention, urging the DPP to expedite its legal advice to determine whether the suspects will face formal charges.
Public Outrage and Tensions
The high-profile case has drawn widespread attention. Supporters of Hamzat, visibly angered by the court’s decision, gathered outside the premises in protest. However, the heavy security presence prevented the situation from escalating as the suspects were transported from the court.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Hamzat was arrested while receiving medical treatment following the tragic incident.
Released Suspects
Five other individuals initially arrested in connection with the incident were released by police on Monday night. They include Genesisi Christopher (24), Tanimowo Moruf (52), Anisoloja Olabode (42), Idowu Ibrahim (35), and Abiola Oluwatimileyin (25).
Next Steps
As the legal process unfolds, families of the victims and the broader community await answers regarding the circumstances that led to the deadly stampede. The court’s decision to remand the suspects underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need for accountability in the wake of the tragedy.
