The proprietor of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, has regained his freedom after meeting his bail conditions. He was released from Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, alongside his co-accused, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, Basorun.
The trio had been remanded following allegations of involvement in a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children during a funfair event on December 18, 2024. Justice K. B. Olawoyin granted bail to the defendants on Monday, setting the amount at ₦10 million each, along with two sureties of the same value.
Upon his release, Hamzat received a hero’s welcome at Agidigbo FM’s broadcasting station along the Ojoo expressway on Tuesday. Overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the crowd, he was moved to tears. Addressing his supporters, he said, “Oriyomi is back. At this time, I am in a moment of silence. Thank you very much.”
The Oyo State Government had earlier filed an 18-count criminal charge against Hamzat, Silekunola, and Fasasi in connection with the fatal incident. The charges, filed on January 10, 2025, include conspiracy to commit murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence. The prosecution alleged that the defendants failed to ensure adequate security, crowd control, and medical facilities during the children’s funfair, leading to the stampede.
Court documents detailed that the defendants’ alleged negligence directly resulted in the deaths of 35 children, including an 8-year-old named Musiliu Sofiat. The prosecution stated the trio’s actions violated Section 517 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
