The Oyo State Government has officially withdrawn all criminal charges against Prophetess Naomi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, along with popular broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat and Fasasi Abdullahi Fasasi. This decision has sparked various reactions among Nigerians, especially considering the gravity of the case.
The charges stemmed from the tragic fatal stampede that occurred at Islamic High School, Bashorun, in December 2024. The horrific incident resulted in the untimely deaths of over 32 innocent children, leaving families in deep grief and prompting widespread calls for justice.
The Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General of Oyo State, Abiodun Aikomo, made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing journalists. He confirmed that the Ibadan High Court officially struck out the case following the state government’s decision to withdraw all charges against the accused individuals.
In his statement, Aikomo emphasized that the decision to drop the case was influenced by the accused persons' demonstration of empathy and compassion towards the affected families. According to him, this played a significant role in the government's resolution to halt further legal proceedings.
Additionally, legal representative Abdulwaheed Olajide, who serves as the counsel to Fasasi Abdullahi Fasasi, disclosed that an out-of-court settlement had been reached between the families of the victims and the defendants. The agreement reportedly involved multiple discussions aimed at addressing the grievances of the bereaved families while ensuring that justice and fairness were upheld.
It is important to recall that Prophetess Naomi and Oriyomi Hamzat were initially arraigned on a four-count charge that included conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts leading to harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical assistance at the event venue.
The dismissal of the case has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Some argue that justice should have taken its full course, given the tragic loss of young lives, while others believe that the government’s intervention and the out-of-court resolution may have been the best approach to address the matter sensitively.
As the news continues to circulate, many are now calling on authorities to implement stricter safety regulations to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. The Oyo State Government has also reiterated its commitment to enforcing event safety measures to avoid a repeat of such unfortunate
occurrences.