In a landmark ruling, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has officially struck out the murder charges against Queen Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School.
The trio had been facing legal action following a tragic stampede at a children’s event in December 2024, which resulted in the death of 35 children. However, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice B.K. Olawoyin ruled that holding them criminally liable could discourage individuals from engaging in charitable and humanitarian activities in the future.
Background: The December 2024 Tragedy
The case stemmed from a stampede at a children’s outreach program organized in Ibadan, Oyo State, in December 2024. The event, which was aimed at providing support and entertainment for underprivileged children, turned tragic when a crowd surge led to the loss of 35 young lives.
Following the incident, Queen Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdullahi Fasasi were charged with:
| Charge | Description |
|---|---|
| Acceleration of Death | Allegedly contributing to conditions that led to fatalities |
| Conspiracy | Allegedly failing to prevent the tragedy |
| Negligent Acts Causing Harm | Alleged failure to ensure crowd control |
| Failure to Provide Medical Facilities and Security | Alleged lack of adequate safety measures at the event |
These charges sparked nationwide debate, with many questioning whether humanitarian organizers should be criminally punished for unintended tragedies.
Court Ruling: No Criminal Liability for Humanitarian Acts
In his ruling, Justice B.K. Olawoyin emphasized that while the loss of young lives was tragic, assigning criminal responsibility to the event’s organizers would set a dangerous precedent.
“If we hold individuals liable for unintended consequences of goodwill efforts, we will discourage future acts of kindness and humanitarian work in our society.”
The court concluded that the defendants acted with good intentions and that their involvement in the event did not constitute criminal negligence. As a result, the four-count charge was dismissed.
Government’s Reaction: “Justice Has Been Served”
Following the ruling, Oyo State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Biodun Aikomo, confirmed that the state government had withdrawn the charges in the interest of justice.
“It is in the interest of justice to discontinue this case. So we withdrew the charge, and it was struck out by the court. There is no case against them again, they are now free.”
This decision has been met with mixed reactions. While some applaud the ruling as a victory for humanitarian work, others argue that better safety regulations must be put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Lessons and the Way Forward
The December 2024 stampede highlights the urgent need for improved event safety measures, especially at large public gatherings involving children. Moving forward, experts suggest:
| Key Lesson | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Event Planning Regulations | Stricter safety guidelines for humanitarian events |
| Crowd Control Measures | Proper venue selection, trained security personnel, and crowd limits |
| Emergency Response Readiness | First aid stations and medical teams at all public events |
| Legal Clarity | Clear guidelines on liability for event organizers |
While charity and goodwill efforts must continue, this case serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with organizing large-scale events.
What you should know
The dismissal of charges against Queen Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, and Abdullahi Fasasi brings legal closure to a deeply emotional case. However, the tragedy remains a painful lesson about the importance of safety in event planning.
As the nation reflects on this ruling, one question remains: How can Nigeria ensure that future humanitarian efforts are both impactful and safe?
