A tragic stampede at a children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, has sparked significant legal and public safety discussions after the deaths of 35 children. The event, held on December 18, 2024, at Islamic High School, Basorun, was organized by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, alongside broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat.
The funfair, originally planned for 5,000 children, was overwhelmed when over 7,500 attendees arrived, leading to overcrowding and chaos that resulted in the fatal stampede. In response to the tragedy, the Oyo State Police Command arrested eight individuals involved in the event’s planning, including Silekunola, Hamzat, and the school’s principal, Abdulahi Fasasi. The arrested parties were charged with conspiracy, criminal negligence, and manslaughter, and they were remanded in custody at the Agodi Correctional Centre on December 24, 2024.
However, on January 13, 2025, Justice K.B. Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court criticized the grounds for their detention, declaring the use of a holding charge as unconstitutional and a violation of the defendants’ fundamental rights. The judge granted bail to Silekunola, Hamzat, and Fasasi, setting the sum at N10 million each. The bail conditions included the surrender of their international passports and a restriction against granting press interviews while the trial is ongoing.
This development has reignited debates over the accountability of event organizers and the legal procedures used in such cases. Critics argue that while justice must be served, the practice of extended pre-trial detention without formal charges undermines due process.
The tragic incident also highlights the pressing need for stricter public safety protocols at large events, particularly those involving children. As the trial progresses, it raises critical questions about how regulatory frameworks can be strengthened to prevent such avoidable disasters in the future.