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JUST IN: Oriyomi Hamzat And Ooni Ex-Queen Charged With Murder Of 35 Children By Oyo State—-The Oyo State Government has filed eight counts, bordering on murder and manslaughter against the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the proprietor of an Ibadan-based radio station, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdulahi Fasasi, over the December 18, 2024 funfair stampede, during which 35 children died.

The charge sheet, marked I/05C/2025, sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.

The Oyo State Government was listed as the complainant while Silekunola, Hamzat abd and Babatunde were named as defendants.

In the 18 counts, the government accused the defendants of “conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offence to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.”

The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

In the charge sheet obtained by The PUNCH, the prosecution disclosed the names and details of 14 out of the 35 children who died in the incident.

They include Musiliu Sofiat, female, eight years; Lekan Salami, male, seven years; Feyikemi Salam, female, 1.5 years; Olaniyan Joshua, male, 1.5 years; Laeef Muisi, male, eight years; Opeyemi Ayomide, female, four years; Adebayo-Fatimah, female, four years; Adebayo-Abibat, female, five years; Adeyanju Taiwo, female, eight years; Salaudeen Khalid, male, minor; Anjorin Faridat, female, 10 years; Nahaam Muisi, male, 13 years; and Babatunde Toheeb, male, 18 years.

The state alleged that the defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you.”

It alleged that the defendants’ “negligent omission resulted in the death of Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8 years, and 34 other children, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

Fasasi faces trial on a four-count charge, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

Last week, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde vowed that the state would prosecute the defendants.

The defendants have been in prison custody since December 24, following their arrest by the police.

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JUST IN: Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League Amid Ownership Controversy

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Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League

JUST IN: Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League Amid Ownership Controversy—-Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League next season by the UEFA governing body due to multi-club rules.

The governing body’s decision stems from Palace breaching its multi-club ownership rules and Uefa said the Eagles could appeal its ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, could replace FA Cup winners Palace in the Europa League.

Eagle Football Holdings – owned by American businessman John Textor – holds stakes in Palace and Lyon, with Uefa rules stating that clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition.

Uefa’s rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring – a deadline which Palace missed.

Palace argued Textor does not hold any decisive influence at the club, but Uefa have not accepted the Premier League side’s defence.

Lyon, who also qualified for next season’s Europa League, take precedence over Palace because of their higher league position.

The seven-time French champions finished sixth in Ligue 1, with Palace 12th in the Premier League but qualifying for European competition by winning the FA Cup.

Earlier this week Lyon won their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1 after they were demoted for financial reasons, which affected Palace’s chances of playing in the Europa League.

Had Lyon’s relegation been upheld, they had agreed with Uefa to be excluded from the Europa League, clearing the way for Palace to play in the competition.

English football has two allocated Europa League spots, with Aston Villa securing the other after finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Forest replace Palace in the Europa League after finishing seventh, with their Conference League spot going to the Eagles instead.

More to follow.

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João Pedro Nets Brace Against Boyhood Club Fluminense To Send Chelsea To FIFA Club World Cup Final

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João Pedro Nets Brace Against Boyhood Club Fluminense

João Pedro Nets Brace Against Boyhood Club Fluminense To Send Chelsea To FIFA Club World Cup Final—-João Pedro who joined the club 6 days ago in a deal worth £55m add-ons included marked his first start for Chelsea with a brilliant brace against his boyhood club, guiding the Blues to a 2–0 win over Fluminense in New Jersey and into the Club World Cup final.

The Brazilian forward, a product of Fluminense’s academy, found the net in both halves but chose not to celebrate either goal out of respect for his former side. Even so, he was unquestionably the standout performer on the night.

First-half control

Enzo Maresca’s side started the brighter of the two, controlling possession and applying steady pressure down both flanks with Pedro Neto particularly lively on the left.

The opening goal arrived on 18 minutes after Neto burst past his man and whipped in a dangerous ball. Thiago Silva’s clearance only reached João Pedro, who controlled well and rifled a stunning strike into the top corner.

Fluminense struggled to create clear chances but came close through Hércules, whose effort looked destined to level things up until Marc Cucurella popped up to clear off the line.

There was late first-half drama when a VAR check overturned a penalty decision for a handball against Trevoh Chalobah, much to the relief of the travelling Chelsea support.

João Pedro seals it

The second half followed a similar pattern: Chelsea in control, Fluminense looking for inspiration. The former Brighton forward delivered the killer blow just before the hour mark. Set free by Enzo Fernández on the counter, he shrugged off Ignácio, cut inside, and unleashed a fierce shot that clipped the underside of the bar before bulging the net. A thunderous finish to make it 2–0 and effectively end the contest.

The Blues rang the changes late on, with Reece James, Noni Madueke and Dewsbury-Hall among those introduced to see out the result.

There was a brief scare when Moisés Caicedo limped off after a knock to his heel, but initial signs suggest it’s nothing too serious.

The Brazilian side had a couple of half-chances in the closing stages – Everaldo tried an audacious bicycle kick and Keno caused the odd problem – but they couldn’t break Chelsea’s solid defensive shape.

Chelsea now await the winner of Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid, who square off on Wednesday, for Sunday’s final.

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