Ibadan Stampede: Court Orders Remand Of Ooni’s Ex-Wife, School Principal

A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi, at the Agodi Correctional Centre.

The remand order followed their arraignment in connection with last week’s tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair held at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others injured.

The court presided over by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, issued the order after the suspects were brought to court amidst heavy security.

The defendants are facing a four-count charge. According to the police prosecutor, the offences contravened Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The prosecution alleged that the trio played a role in the events leading to the stampede that turned the Christmas celebration into a tragedy.

Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi directed that the defendants be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The court proceedings, which drew significant public attention, saw law enforcement officers heavily guarding the suspects as they were escorted to and from the court premises.

Details later…