Oyo State Government has withdrawn criminal charges against the former wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, popular Ibadan based broadcaster, Alhaji Oriyomi Hazmat, and Principal of the Islamic High School, Basorun Ibadan over the December 24,2024 stampede,which claimed about 24 lives.
The State’s Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, confirmed this to journalists after the court session on Thursday.
He said: “It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many but in law, whenever death occurs and the circumstances are not natural, the law will take its course, So the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation.
“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to prosecute but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected parties.
“And the circumstance, we felt, the essence of prosecution is not to kill people or persecute them. It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these charges, and that is what happened today.”
Aikomo,however, said they showed compassion and as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected families.
This decision comes after an intense period of legal proceedings.
Earlier, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan had granted bail to Naomi, Hamzat, and Fasasi.
The ruling, pronounced by Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin, was made after the defendants had argued their bail applications before the court.
The court granted Naomi N10 million bail with two sureties, while Hamzat and Fasasi were also granted bail on similar terms.
