Court orders Queen Naomi and Oriyomi Hamzat to be remanded in prison.

Justice Olabisi Ogunkanmi of the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the remand of former Ile-Ife queen, Naomi Silekunola, and Oriyomi Hamzat, a senior manager of a radio station in Ibadan, in custody.

The judge also ordered the remand of the head of an Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan. All three are to remain in Agodi Prison in Oyo State until their cases are revisited.

The three individuals are believed to be involved in the recent stampede in Ibadan, where no fewer than thirty-five children tragically died.

Queen Naomi had organized an annual food distribution program meant to provide joy to at least five thousand children during Christmas. However, the police have charged the suspects with four counts of aggravated assault, an offense under Section 324 of the 2000 Penal Code.

Justice Ogunkanmi has ordered that they remain in custody until advice is received from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The tragic stampede occurred during an event organized by the former queen of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Naomi Ogunwusi, leaving at least 35 children dead and many others injured.

Eyewitnesses said the stampede happened shortly after the program began. This was not the first time Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi had hosted such an event, as she had been organizing the program annually through her charitable organization, Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS).

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Olori Naomi Ogunwusi and others involved in the tragedy on Thursday, December 19.

A statement released by the police revealed that 35 people had died in the stampede, while six others were critically injured and receiving medical care.

In addition to the former queen, seven others, including the school principal, are in police custody. The police have transferred the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department at Iyaganku, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police leading the investigation.

How Did the Stampede Happen?

According to Mr. Musiliu, whose wife was present at the scene, the crowd was overwhelming, and many were locked out of the venue.

His wife explained that early arrivals were allowed inside, but a larger group that came later was locked outside.

“When the founder of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, arrived at the venue, security opened the gate. At that moment, the waiting crowd took advantage of the opportunity and forced their way through the narrow entrance, leading to the stampede,” Mr. Musiliu quoted his wife as saying.

Mrs. Salawu, another attendee, confirmed that the rush began when Hamzat arrived and the gate was opened.

“We were at the gate since 5:00 am. If they had opened the gate earlier, this wouldn’t have happened, and no child would have died.

“Oriyomi arrived just before 6 am. The gatekeeper refused to hand him the key, but Oriyomi snatched the key and opened the gate. When he opened it, people rushed inside and started falling over each other. Oriyomi tried to help them, but by the time I found my child, they had been crushed. The child had soiled themselves and was already dead,” she recounted.

Although Mr. Musiliu has found solace in his faith, accepting the tragedy as the will of Allah, he appealed to event organizers to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

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