The Chief Magistrates’ Court located in Iyaganku, Ibadan on Tuesday ordered remand of Oriyomi Hamzat (51), owner of Agidigbo F.M Radio station and a former queen and a broadcaster Naomi Silekunola (31) to prison in connection with Wednesday’s funfair tragedy which caused a stampede and claimed 35 lives.
Penpushing reports that Principal of the school where the children funfair was held, Fasasi Abdullahi (56) was also ordered to be remanded in prison alongside the duo, as all of them are facing a four-count charge.
The prosecuting counsel, Police Inspector Sikiru Opaleye, during the arraignment informed the court that the defendants were facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, and negligent acts causing harm.
Penpushing further reports that Opaleye added that the defendants allegedly invited some children for a funfair programme but failed to provide a conducive atmosphere with adequate security and medical facilities.
“The eventual stampede at the venue allegedly accelerated the death of eight-year-old Sofiat Musiliu, a female, and 34 others between the ages of five months to 13 years,” the prosecutor told the court.
Penpushng also reports that he alleged that the defendants conspired to commit the offences on Wednesday between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. at Islamic High School, Bashorun in Ibadan, where the deadly stampede occurred.
The prosecutor added that the offences were contrary to Sections 324, 311, 517 and 344 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, while the defendants were respectively represented by J. A. Lukman, Ridwan Adekunle and Waheed Olajide.
Penpushing reports that the Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendants’ plea, due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered their remand at the Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan, pending the issuance of legal advice from the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), and thereafter, adjourned the matter until Jan 13, 2025 for mention.
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