Stampede: Court dismisses case against queen Naomi, broadcaster Hamzat, 1 other

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Thursday, struck out the case instituted against Queen Naomi Silekunolami; popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the principal of Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdullahi Fasasi, over the December 2024 stampede that led to the death of 35 children in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In dismissing the case against the defenders, Justice B.K.Olawoyin of Court 8, Ring Road, Ibadan, stated that ruling otherwise would discourage individuals with humanitarian hearts to withdraw from supporting the vulnerable in the society.

The defendants were facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities, following the tragedy that happened during the Christmas Funfair in Ibadan on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

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Addressing newsmen at the court premises on Thursday, Hamzat commended the court for the verdict and pledged that the incident, rather than discourage him, will rather motivate him to scale up his humanitarian gestures to the people.

The broadcaster, however, said he will no longer collaborate with any organisation to hold such an event in the future.

He noted that such events held previously personally by him or his organisation have never witnessed death or such unfortunate incident.

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