The Oyo state government has dropped the criminal case against Oriyomi Hamzat, Naomi Silekunola, and Fasasi Abdullahi Fasasi concerning the deadly stampede at Islamic High School Bashorun in December 2024.

Abiodun Aikomo, the commissioner of justice and attorney-general of Oyo, confirmed this development on Wednesday while addressing journalists after the court ruling.

Following the withdrawal by the attorney-general, the Ibadan high court struck out the case.

Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM; Silekunola, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; and Abdullahi, principal of the Islamic High School, had been on trial for their alleged involvement in the stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the deaths of over 30 people, most of them children.

Initially, they were held at the Agodi correctional facility before being granted bail on January 14, set at N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

In January, the state government filed an 18-count criminal charge against the trio, including conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence.

Speaking after the court session, Aikomo explained that the state decided to drop the case because the accused individuals had demonstrated “empathy” and “compassion.”

“It was an unfortunate incident that led to the death of many. And you see, in law, whenever death occurs in circumstances that are not natural, the law will take its course. So the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation,” Aikomo said.

“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to prosecute but the affected persons showed empathy. They showed compassion. And as far as human beings can do, they try to persuade the feelings of the affected parties.

“And the circumstance, we felt, the essence of prosecution is not to kill people or persecute them.

“It is in the interest of justice to discontinue these charges, and that is what happened today. So we withdrew the charge and it was struck out by the court. There is no charge against them again, so they are free.”

OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT

Additionally, Abdulwaheed Olajide, counsel to Fasasi, stated that an agreement was reached between the victims’ families and the defendants to settle the matter outside the courtroom.

“The good thing is that the defendants as well as the state met and considered wider implication of the case and decided to put a stop to it so that it will not send a wrong signal to the larger society because if the crisis is allowed to persist, you will discover that men of goodwill will be running away from Oyo state. Just to run away from such, the two sides decided to find an amicable solution,” Olajide said.

“They were brought into the picture, they were appealed to and they were made to understand that this is a thing that happened as a result of an accident which can happen anytime.

“It is beyond human control. So they agreed with us… and we said we can still go ahead and show empathy to the families of the deceased.

“The state appreciated that and in consequence decided to withdraw the charges against the defendants.

“We thank God, we all went to the river and we came back with our pots full of water to quench the thirst of each and every one of us.”

Residents of Denro-Isashi-Akute, particularly around Agro Tropic Nur/Pry. School, and Afe Olusegun, Isashi-Akute, are raising alarms over the growing menace of land grabbing, which has taken a violent turn, leaving victims traumatized and property owners at risk of losing their hard-earned investments.

In a disturbing development, a yet-to-be-identified woman was seen molested and harassed by suspected land grabbers who stormed the area, forcefully taking possession of lands and intimidating rightful owners.

As seen in the video, witnesses described the attackers as armed thugs working under the cover of powerful individuals, using violence to dispossess people of their legally owned lands.

The people of Denro-Isashi-Akute are pointing accusing fingers at Baale Kazeem Seriki as the main culprit behind the criminal activities of the thugs.

According to the residents, the Baale is said to be behind the forceful takeover of lands, using thugs to intimidate and assault helpless landlords and land owners.

Watch Video below

The Nigerian Senate has clarified before the Inter-Parliamentary Union that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was due to gross misconduct, not allegations of sexual harassment.

Speaking at the IPU on Wednesday, Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, dismissed claims by Akpoti-Uduaghan at a United Nations event, where she alleged her suspension resulted from raising sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Ogbara, mandated by the National Assembly to respond to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s speech at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, addressed the matter:

“In response to the call by the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Right Honorable Tulia Ackson, to hear both sides, I have received a letter from the Nigerian Senate in my capacity as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development and a parliamentarian representing Nigeria at this conference,” she stated.

She emphasized the importance of fairness in handling such allegations:

“Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation. At the same time, fairness must be upheld for all individuals, ensuring that justice is neither predetermined nor one-sided.

“Nigeria remains firmly committed to upholding women’s rights and combating gender-based violence through strong legal frameworks. Our Parliament and Judiciary continue to undergo reforms to strengthen these efforts.

“The ongoing legislative initiatives address historical imbalances in women’s representation in Parliament, including the Reserve Seats Bill and other constitutional amendments aimed at safeguarding women’s rights. These efforts underscore our commitment to an inclusive and equitable political space.”

Addressing the allegations against Akpabio, Ogbara stated:

“It is important to recognize that both the allegations and responses require careful and unbiased scrutiny. This issue, which remains subjudice, involves multiple elements, including sexual harassment allegations and potential Senate rule violations. While any connections must be examined, these matters should also be considered separately.

“We must uphold fairness and ensure that no individual is prematurely judged without a transparent and impartial process. Therefore, I call for:

A thorough and unbiased investigation, ensuring all claims and defenses are examined fairly.

Protection of all parties involved, safeguarding their rights and preventing intimidation or retaliation.

Accountability and transparency, ensuring that due process is rigorously followed.”

Ogbara then read the Senate’s position paper, presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

The Senate’s letter stated:

“Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behavior, not due to allegations of sexual harassment or assault.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation being circulated by certain media organizations regarding the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“Let it be unequivocally stated that her suspension was solely due to her persistent misconduct and disregard for Senate Standing Orders.”

According to the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan violated Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate rules, leading to her suspension.

“If she had followed proper procedures, the Senate would have treated her petition on its merits. However, she failed to adhere to established practices,” Bamidele explained.

The statement further clarified:

“Her suspension was a decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate, following a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.”

The Senate accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of:

• Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25, 2025, despite multiple pleas.
• Engaging in unruly and disruptive behavior.
• Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against Senate leadership.
• Defying and refusing to comply with summons from the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges investigating misconduct.

The Senate stated that her suspension was necessary to restore order and uphold legislative integrity:

“No senator, regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation, is above the Senate’s rules.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a direct consequence of her actions and nothing else,” the statement concluded.

The Senate urged media organizations to correct misrepresentations and avoid spreading falsehoods that undermine Nigeria’s legislative process.

Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated her dispute with Akpabio by presenting her case at a United Nations forum, calling for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable.