Ibadan Stampede: Ooni Ex-Queen, Oriyomi, School Principal Seek Out-of-Court Settlement
Former wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, Ibadan based broadcaster, Mr Oriyomi Hazmat, and Principal of islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Mr Abdulahi Fasasi have pleaded for out-of-court settlement.
The defendants are facing trial at Court 5 ,Ring Road, Ibadan for alleged involvement in the December 18 stampede that led to the death of 35 minors in ibadan.
Oyo State government had filed a fresh 18 counts charge on the defendants, bordering on conspiracy to commit a felony ,murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offence and criminal negligence at the oyo state High Court on the 10th of January, this year.
At the hearing of the case at Oyo State High Court, Counsel to queen Naomi Silekunola, Mr Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, pleaded that the case be settled out of court bearing in mind that the defendants did not set out to kill anybody, but sought to provide succour to the less privileged.
In his submission, Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, explained that the defendants wrote a letter to the state government indicating their intention to compensate the family of the victims, as well as, urging that their appeal for the withdrawal of the charge to be considered.
Justice Aikomo clarified that the state government was not out to persecute anybody, stating that it would consider the plea of the defendants if they were able to make good their offer with two weeks.
In his rulling, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High adjourned the hearing till the 20th of this month to enable parties in the case to work out their offer.
