Justice Ladiran Akintola of Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, on Thursday, dismissed the criminal charges against Queen Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and two others.
The ex-queen was arraigned by the state government alongside a radio presenter, Oriyomi Hamzat and the Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Abdullahi Fasasi, for the December 2024 stampede that killed 35 children in the state.
The defendants were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
The offences, according to the prosecution, contravened Sections 308, 324, 344 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The judge also ordered the release of the defendants’ international passports.
During the court session, Justice Akintola in a light-hearted tone, advised the defendants to be guided and avoid similar issues in the future.
The Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, who addressed the media after the court session, described the incident as unfortunate.
Aikomo argued that when a death occurred and the circumstances were not natural, the law would take its course.
“So the state responded by filing charges against the persons implicated in the investigation.
“In the course of doing that, we actually wanted to prosecute, but the affected persons showed empathy; they showed compassion as far as human beings can do.
“They tried to assuage the feelings of the affected parties in the circumstance and 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 has happened today,” the attorney-general said.