In a significant turn of events, the Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn all criminal charges against Prophetess Naomi, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, and her co-defendants, Oriyomi Hamzat and Fasasi Abdullahi Fasasi. The charges stemmed from the tragic stampede at Islamic High School Bashorun in December 2024, which resulted in the death of over 32 children.
The decision to withdraw the case was announced by the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General of Oyo State, Abiodun Aikomo, after the ruling at the Ibadan High Court. Speaking to journalists, Aikomo revealed that the state decided to discontinue the case due to the empathy and compassion shown by the accused.
Abdulwaheed Olajide, counsel to Fasasi, disclosed that the families of the victims and the defendants had reached an agreement to settle the matter out of court, paving the way for the charges to be dropped.
The charges originated from an unfortunate charity event organized by Prophetess Naomi and Oriyomi Hamzat to feed the less privileged. The event, held at Islamic High School, ended in tragedy when a stampede led to the loss of numerous young lives.
Prophetess Naomi, along with her co-defendants, was arrested and arraigned on a four-count charge, including conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical support. In January, the Oyo State Government expanded the case to 18 criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence.
The trio was granted bail by an Oyo State High Court, with stringent conditions, including a bond of ₦10 million, the submission of international passports, and two sureties providing landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. They were also prohibited from granting media interviews while the case was ongoing.The withdrawal of charges marks the conclusion of a case that has drawn widespread attention and highlighted the importance of proper planning and security at public events. While the tragedy remains a painful memory, the resolution through mutual agreement offers some closure for both the victims’ families and the defendants.
