A magistrate court in Ibadan has ordered the remand of Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, in connection with the tragic stampede that claimed over 40 lives, mostly children, in the city.
The court also remanded Fasasi Abdullahi, principal of Islamic High School, where the incident occurred, at the Agodi Correctional Centre pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
The defendants were charged with a four-count offense by the police on Tuesday, including conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
The stampede occurred last Wednesday during an event organized by Silekunola at the Islamic High School in the Bashorun area of Ibadan. The event, which was intended to host 5,000 attendees, was widely publicized, particularly on Agidigbo FM, which is considered one of the most-listened-to radio stations in Ibadan.
According to reports, the event promised free entry, gifts, and scholarships, which drew a massive crowd from within and outside the city. News of the offerings led to an overwhelming turnout, with hundreds camping around the school on the eve of the event to ensure early entry.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendants’ negligence and lack of adequate planning played a role in the fatal incident.
Olabisi Ogunkanmi, the presiding magistrate, directed that the defendants remain in custody while awaiting the DPP’s advice, which will determine the next steps in the case.
