Court Remands Ooni’s Ex-Wife, Agidigbo FM CEO, and School Principal Over Ibadan Funfair Tragedy

 

A Chief Magistrate’s Court 1 in Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of three individuals: Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, at the Agodi Correctional Centre. This order came after the trio were arrested in connection with a tragic incident during a children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, where 35 children died in a stampede.

The case will be heard again on January 13, 2025, meaning the defendants will remain in custody over the holidays. The police had charged them with conspiracy, causing death, negligent acts leading to harm, and failing to provide adequate security and medical support at the event.

At the court hearing, the magistrate decided that they should stay in custody while awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Five other suspects in the case were released by the police earlier.

A lawyer representing Fasasi questioned whether the magistrates' court had the right to handle the case, arguing there was no evidence that the defendants committed the alleged offenses. Lawyers for Hamzat also asked for him to remain in police custody due to his health condition, but the magistrate ruled that all suspects should be sent to the correctional center for now.

The case will be revisited in January, and the legal advice from the DPP will determine the next steps. Meanwhile, some of Hamzat’s supporters gathered outside the court, causing tension, but the situation was controlled by security forces.