Court Remands Ex-Ooni’s Wife, Others Over Alleged Negligence in Fatal Stampede
A Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, has ordered the remand of Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, along with Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM, and Fasasi Abdulahi, the Principal of Bashorun Islamic High School, at the Agodi Correctional Facility.
The ruling is pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
They were arraigned before the Oyo State Chief Magistrate Court in Iyaganku on four counts: conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
Tension filled the court premises as supporters of Hamzat gathered; however, a heavy police presence ensured order.
The situation nearly escalated when police vans transporting the suspects began to leave the court.
In the past week, fatal stampedes have occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State; Okija in Anambra State; and Abuja, the Nigerian capital, as residents struggled to obtain groceries distributed by organizers.
Over 60 people, including children, have died in these incidents across the three states.
Further details will follow shortly.
