By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
An Oyo State Chief Magistrate Court 1, sitting at Iyaganku in Ibadan, has ordered the remand of Prophetess Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde, the Principal of Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan. The trio were remanded at the Agodi Custodial Centre on Tuesday.
The remand order was issued by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who stated that the remand would remain in place “pending the issuance of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Oyo State.”
The order followed the arraignment of the three individuals on a four-count holding charge, which includes conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failing to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
The charges stated that, on the 18th of December 2024, between 5:00 am and 8:00 am, at Islamic High School in the Bashorun area of Ibadan, Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, Oriyomi Hamzat, Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde, and others now at large “conspired to commit a felony, specifically the acceleration of death.” This alleged act was said to be in violation of “Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”
The charges further allege that the trio unlawfully “accelerated the death of Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8, and 34 other children aged between 5 months and 13 years.” This occurred during a children’s funfair programme where adequate security and medical facilities were reportedly not provided, leading to a stampede. The alleged actions contravened “Section 311 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000,” and were punishable under “Section 319.”
Additionally, the charges state that the accused “conspired to commit negligent acts causing harm” by failing to ensure safety measures at the event, in breach of “Section 517 of the Criminal Code.” The omission to provide a safe environment allegedly led to the deaths of Musiliu Sofiat and the 34 other children, an offence punishable under “Section 344 of the Criminal Code.”
The court proceedings continue as the legal process unfolds.