March 20, 2025
By Adedayo Olamide
The Oyo State Government has withdrawn criminal charges against Queen Naomi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oriyomi Hamzat, and a school principal, who were accused of causing a stampede that resulted in the loss of lives and property in Ibadan.
According to report, the decision to withdraw the charges was made after a thorough review of the case and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Government stated that it had taken into consideration the emotional trauma and distress caused to the victims and their families, and had decided to focus on finding alternative solutions to prevent such incidents in the future.
The withdrawal of the charges has been welcomed by many, who had criticized the Government’s initial decision to press charges against the accused individuals.
The incident occurred during a charity event organized by Queen Naomi in Ibadan, which attracted a large crowd. Unfortunately, the event turned tragic when a stampede occurred, resulting in the loss of lives and property.
The Oyo State Government had initially accused Queen Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the school principal of being responsible for the stampede, alleging that they had failed to obtain the necessary permits and had not taken adequate safety measures to prevent the incident.
The accused individuals had denied any wrongdoing, stating that they had taken all necessary precautions and had cooperated fully with the authorities.
The incident had raised widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for the Government to take responsibility for the tragedy rather than blaming the accused individuals.
