Nearly a month after the tragic stampede at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of 35 children, the Oyo State Government has filed murder charges against Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife.
The charges also include Oriyomi Hamzat, a radio station proprietor based in Ibadan, and Abdullahi Fasasi, the school principal, among others. The incident occurred on December 18, 2024, during a school event.
In the suit, identified as I/05C/2025 and filed on Friday, January 10, the state government listed itself as the complainant, while Silekunola and the other defendants were charged with an 18-count indictment. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence.
The government stated that the defendants’ actions violated Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The stampede, which led to the deaths of the children, sparked outrage and calls for accountability, leading to investigations and the subsequent legal action.