A High Court Sitting in Ibadan has dismissed the case involving the deaths of over 30 children at a 2024 Christmas funfair that took place at Basorun, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Justice Ladiran Akintola who gave the judgment cleared Queen Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, and school principal Abdulahi Fasasi of all charges.
According to the state prosecutor and the Attorney General of the State, Abiodun Aikomo, the case was withdrawn after affected families showed empathy towards the defendants and requested its withdrawal.
He confirmed that some families had received compensation and seized documents had been returned.
The defendants were initially charged over the Funfair tragedy that claimed the lives of over 30 minors who died as a result of the stampede that ensued at the Funfair venue.
Mechanic arraigned for selling fake car engines
Meanwhile, a 38-year-old auto mechanic, Stephen Ifeanyi, on Thursday appeared before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court for allegedly selling fake car engines to his customers.
Ifeanyi, a resident of Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna, is facing a one-count charge of cheating.
The prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, informed the court that the case was reported at Gabasawa Police Station on March 12 by Michael Sunday and Timothy Williams, the complainants.
Leo told the court that the complainants reside in Sabon Tasha and Romi New Extension, Kaduna.
He alleged that the defendant deceived the complainants into believing that he had fairly used Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla engines for sale at ₦100,000 and ₦98,000, respectively.
He, however, said after purchasing the engines and making full payments, the complainants discovered that the engines were fake.
The prosecutor added that in spite of multiple efforts by the complainants to either receive the original engines or get a refund, proved abortive as the defendant refused to comply.
Leo said that the offence contravened Section 241 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017, which prescribes a maximum imprisonment term of seven years, a fine, or both if found guilty.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted him bail in the sum of ₦100,000, with a surety in like sum.
He ruled that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case to April 28 for hearing.