Court remands Ooni’s ex-wife, Oriyomi Hamzat over Ibadan stampede

A magistrate court in Ibadan has remanded Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of Ooni of Ife; and Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO Of Agidigbo FM; over the stampede that occurred in the city.

Silekunola, Hamzat, and Fasasi Abdullahi, principal of Islamic High School, were charged to court by the police on Tuesday.

Last Wednesday, over 40 people, mostly children, died in the stampede. 

The police filed a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities, against the defendants.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendants played a role in the stampede.

Olabisi Ogunkanmi, the magistrate, ordered the remand of the defendants at the Agodi correctional centre pending the advice of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo state ministry of justice.

The event took place at the Islamic High School in the Bashorun area.

Organised by Silekunola, the event was intended to cater to 5,000 attendees.

The funfair was well publicised, especially on Agidigbo FM, touted as the most-listened-to radio station in Ibadan.

News of a “free entry” event with promises of gifts and scholarships spread quickly, with people from far and near trudging to the venue in droves.

On the eve of the event, hundreds had camped round the school to ensure they made it into the venue on time.