Justice B.K. Olawoyin of the Federal High Court in Ibadan has dismissed the case against Queen Naomi Silekunolami, popular broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, and the principal of Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Abdullahi Fasasi, over the December 2024 stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children in Ibadan.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, the judge held that a contrary decision would discourage individuals with humanitarian intentions from supporting vulnerable members of society.
The defendants had faced a four-count charge, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities at the Christmas Funfair held on December 18, 2024.
Reacting to the verdict, Hamzat lauded the court for the verdict, and assured that the incident, rather than discourage him, will rather motivate him to scale up his humanitarian gestures to the people.
However, he stated further that he would no longer collaborate with any organization to host such an event in the future, noting that similar programs organized solely by him or his team had never resulted in a such.
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