The Oyo State Government has filed 18 criminal charges against Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oriyomi Hazmat, the owner of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, and Abdulahi Fasasi, Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, in connection with a devastating stampede that occurred during a charity event in December. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of more than 32 children.
The charity event, organized by Prophetess Naomi in collaboration with Oriyomi Hazmat, aimed to provide food and aid to the less privileged. However, the gathering, held at Islamic High School in Ibadan, turned catastrophic due to poor crowd management and a lack of adequate security measures, which led to the fatal stampede.
Initial Charges and Legal Proceedings
The accused individuals were initially brought before the court on four charges, including conspiracy, reckless endangerment, negligent acts leading to harm, and failure to provide sufficient security and medical support during the event. Following their arraignment, the defendants were remanded in custody at the Agodi Correctional Facility in Ibadan.
Expanded Charges and Legal Implications
In a significant update to the case, the charges against the accused have been expanded. The revised charges now include conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, criminal negligence, and other related offenses. According to the updated charge sheet, the defendants are accused of failing to ensure proper crowd control, adequate security measures, and sufficient medical preparedness for the event. These actions reportedly violated Sections 308 and 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol 11, Laws of Oyo State, 2000, and are considered severe breaches of public safety.
Public Reactions and Support for Prophetess Naomi
Following the announcement of the charges, various public figures have expressed their condolences and support for Prophetess Naomi. The Ooni of Ife, her former husband, conveyed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and expressed his unwavering support for Naomi, praising her for her character and recalling her successful efforts in organizing similar events during her time as royalty.
Actor Adeniyi Johnson, hailing from Ondo State, praised the generosity and kind-hearted nature of the people from the region, offering prayers for Naomi’s strength in the face of this adversity. He expressed confidence that “God will see her through and bring her back stronger.”
Actress Biola Bayo reflected on the situation, using it as an opportunity to pray that her own good intentions would never lead to such tragic outcomes. “Naomi wanted to bring joy to people’s lives but unfortunately ended up in this heart-wrenching situation,” she lamented.
Comedian Woli Agba offered a spiritual perspective, expressing his belief that the events surrounding the stampede were not beyond God’s understanding. He stated, “I firmly believe this is not happening outside the knowledge of God. Naomi will be vindicated, and God’s glory will shine brighter through her. The desires of her adversaries will fade away.”
The case continues to develop, with the accused facing serious legal challenges as investigations into the tragedy unfold.
