Oyo State government has filed 18 criminal charges against three individuals over their involvement in a deadly stampede during a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 35 children. The charges, which include manslaughter and related offences, were brought against Naomi Ogunwusi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the principal of an Islamic school in Ibadan.
The fatal incident occurred on December 26, 2024, at an event designed to bring joy and festive cheer to local families. The stampede, caused by overcrowding and poor security measures, quickly turned into a nightmare, with many children tragically losing their lives as panic spread throughout the crowd.
On the fateful day, thousands had gathered at the venue in Ibadan for what was meant to be a holiday celebration. Witnesses reported that the organizers failed to provide sufficient security personnel and medical facilities, leading to chaos when the crowd surged uncontrollably. In the aftermath, public outrage mounted, with families demanding justice for the children who lost their lives.
The Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, acted swiftly, filing a series of criminal charges against the trio, each holding significant roles in the event’s organization and management. According to sources within the state government, the trio was arrested and charged with an array of offences, including manslaughter, conspiracy to commit felony, negligent acts leading to harm, and failure to provide adequate security at the event.
“These charges are grave, and we must ensure that justice is served for the victims and their grieving families,” said Abiodun Aikomo, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State. Aikomo emphasized that the case was of the utmost importance, stating, “The state is committed to seeing that these defendants face the full weight of the law. We cannot allow such gross negligence to go unpunished.”
Naomi Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, is one of the most high-profile figures caught up in the scandal. Known for her previous royal status, Naomi has attracted considerable attention from the media and the public. However, her legal team has vigorously defended her involvement, asserting that she was not directly responsible for the stampede.
“We strongly believe that Naomi Ogunwusi had no personal involvement in organizing the event that led to this tragedy,” said her legal representative. “Our client had no control over the crowd size or security measures. She was merely a part of a larger group of individuals involved in this event. We ask for compassion and fairness as this process moves forward.”
Similarly, Oriyomi Hamzat, a well-known media personality and the CEO of Agidigbo FM, has also come under scrutiny. Hamzat was reportedly one of the event’s key sponsors, and while he was not directly involved in organizing the crowd control measures, his presence has drawn significant attention. His lawyer, Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), argued that his client had no role in the mishandling of the event and that he should not be held criminally liable for the deaths.
“The charge against my client, Oriyomi Hamzat, is not only baseless but lacks legal foundation,” Sobaloju stated after a court session. “He was not in charge of security, nor was he responsible for the event’s operational aspects. We contend that Hamzat’s involvement does not meet the legal criteria for manslaughter.”
The third defendant, Fasasi Abdullahi, is the principal of the Islamic High School, which some sources claim had some involvement in facilitating the event. Abdullahi has been accused of failing to ensure that safety measures were in place, leading to his arrest. His defence team has similarly argued that the charges against him are overstated, and his role in the incident was merely as an attendee and not an organizer.
“We are committed to presenting a defence that highlights the lack of direct involvement of our client in the stampede,” stated his lawyer. “Fasasi Abdullahi was not in charge of crowd management, and he had no operational control over the event’s logistics.”
The suspects have been in detention since their arrests, and during court proceedings on January 7, 2025, their legal teams filed bail applications, citing the fact that they had cooperated with the investigation. Defence lawyers also argued that the state government had no legal justification for detaining their clients under the so-called “holding charge,” claiming that it violated Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
“The continued detention of our clients is not only unconstitutional but also unnecessary,” said Sobaloju, speaking to journalists after the court session. “The law clearly states that they should not be detained under holding charges, and we have requested their release pending proper arraignment.”
However, the state’s legal representatives vehemently opposed the bail application. Aikomo, the Attorney General, argued that the seriousness of the charges necessitated that the defendants remain in custody. “The gravity of the charges, combined with the need for thorough investigations, warrants the continued detention of these individuals,” Aikomo stated firmly.
After listening to arguments from both the prosecution and defence, Justice K.B. Olawoyin reserved judgment on the bail applications, with a ruling expected to be delivered on January 13, 2025.
The case has sparked widespread public outrage, with many Nigerians demanding swift and severe punishment for those responsible for the deaths of the children. Relatives of the victims, who have struggled to cope with the loss, have been vocal in their calls for justice, with some expressing disbelief at the apparent lack of preparation for the event.
The Oyo State Government has pledged to continue its pursuit of justice for the families of the victims. Governor Makinde has stated that the state would not rest until all those responsible for the disaster were held accountable.
“We owe it to the children who lost their lives, their families, and the people of Oyo State to see this through,” Makinde said in a statement. “This is a matter of life and death, and we will ensure that justice is served, no matter how long it takes.”
