The Oyo state government has withdrawn the criminal case against Oriyomi Hamzat, Naomi Silekunola and Fasasi Abdullahi Fasasi over the fatal stampede at Islamic High School Bashorun in December 2024.
Abiodun Aikomo, commissioner of justice and attorney-general
of Oyo, 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withdrawn by the attorney-general.
Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, Silekunola, ex-wife of the Ooni
of Ife; and Abdullahi, principal of the Islamic High School, were standing
trial for their alleged roles in a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan in December,
which claimed the lives of over 30 people, most of whom were children.
They were initially remanded at the Agodi correctional
facility and were granted bail on January 14 in the sum of N10 million and two
sureties in like sum.
In January, the state government filed an 18-count criminal
charge, including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal
negligence, and other related charges against the trio.
Speaking after the court session, Aikomo said the state
decided to withdraw the case as the suspects showed empathy and compassion.
“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of
many. And you see, in law, whenever death occurs in circumstances that are not
natural, the law will take its course. So the state responded by filing charges
against the persons implicated in the investigation,” Aikomo said.
“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to
prosecute but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And
as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the
affected parties.
“And the circumstance, we felt, the essence of prosecution
is not to kill people or persecute them.
“It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these
charges, and that is what happened today. So we withdrew the charge and it was
struck out by the court. There is no charge against them again, so they are
free.”
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