“Court Drama: Key Figures in Ibadan Christmas Stampede Case Return to Court”
On Monday, a high-profile legal case took another turn as the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Chairman of an Ibadan-based broadcasting station, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Abdulahib Fasasi, reappeared before the Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The three are facing four serious charges: conspiracy, murder, manslaughter, and negligence, all related to the deaths of 35 children in a tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair on December 18, 2024.
Originally, the trio was held on a Golden charge, which is not legally recognized under Nigerian law. Following their remand in prison, their legal teams successfully argued that such a charge was invalid. The defendants were later granted bail after a court decision deemed the holden charge inappropriate.
On Monday, the case was scheduled for mention, but the Chief Magistrate decided to adjourn proceedings until March 24, 2025. During the brief court session, Hamzat’s lawyer, Dapo Akinosi, addressed the media, offering some insight into the legal proceedings.
“This session was primarily for mention,” Akinosi explained. “When the defendants were initially arraigned, it was under a holden charge, which is not recognized by our laws. As a result, they were remanded in prison, but we later approached the High Court, where bail was granted to the defendants.”
Akinosi added that the proper charges have now been filed against them, though the defendants have yet to be formally served with the official documents. “We are here to request that the charge be withdrawn in this court. Since their plea hasn’t been taken at the High Court, we sought a longer adjournment to allow for the correct procedures, including the plea-taking at the High Court, before the case is concluded here,” he said.
The legal process continues as the families of the victims and the public await further developments in the tragic case that has gripped the nation’s attention.
