A Chief Magistrate court in Ibadan, Oyo State capital has remanded the former queen of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, in prison custody over the Ibadan stampede which left many people dead.

Also remanded is Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM who partnered the ex- queen in a children chritsmass party which led to the stampede.

The principal of the school where the programme was held, Bashorun Islamic High School, Fasasi, Abdullahi was also remanded.

They are to be remanded in the Agodi Correctional Facility pending the advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.

They were arraigned on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Court 1, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

The court presided over by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, issued the order after the suspects were brought to court amidst heavy security.

According to the police prosecutor, the offences contravened Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The prosecution alleged that the trio played a role in the events leading to the stampede that turned the Christmas celebration into a tragedy.

According to a report by The Nation, the court premises witnessed tension as supporters of Hamzat gathered, but heavy security presence ensured order. 

The situation nearly escalated when police vans conveying the suspects began leaving the court premises.

 

The case was adjourned until Monday, January 13, 2025.

During the proceedings, their counsel argued that the Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction over the case and sought that the defendants be kept in police custody rather than being remanded in the correctional facility.

One of the defense counsels, Waheed Olajide, contended that holding the suspects in custody under the current circumstances was premature and could infringe on their rights, especially if they are later found innocent.

Counsel to Hamzat, Ridwan Adekunle, also disclosed that an earlier agreement with the police indicated that his client would not be sent to the correctional center due to his health condition, following his hospitalization after the tragedy.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate disagreed with the submissions of the counsels to the parties, adding that “she has the discretion to exercise and she is going to exercise same in putting the suspects in correctional Center.”

Justifying the decision, the Chief Magistrate said, “The police who brought the suspects to the court ought to have factored in their health conditions and the circumstances that informed the case itself before bringing them to court and having brought them, it lies on her responsibility of putting them in a correctional Center, pending the time legal advice would come out from the DPP.”

She emphasised that the legal advice would determine the next steps, including whether the defendants would face trial, a reduced charge, or be discharged.

Meanwhile, five other suspects initially arrested in connection with the incident were released on Monday night. Those freed include Genesis Christopher (24), Tanimowo Moruf (52), Anisoloja Olabode (42), Idowu Ibrahim (35), and Abiola Oluwatimileyin (25).