Ibadan funfair stampede: Ex-Ooni queen, Oriyomi Hamzat must face trial – Makinde
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated that those responsible for the ugly stampede at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, where at least 35 children were killed in December 2024, will face trial.
The governor, while speaking on Monday at the 2025 Annual Interfaith Service for State Workers, maintained that the case must proceed regardless of the suspects’ status.
While he expressed no objection to bail being granted during the trial process, he firmly stated that justice would be served.
Makinde said, “In the outgone year, we faced challenges. 2024 started for us here in Oyo State, almost on a tragic note. On 16th January 2024, we had an explosion here in Bodija. It affected even my office. The impact was felt all around Ibadan. We’re closing it out.
“And then, towards the end of the year, we had the stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun. 35 innocent souls were lost; may we not see such again in Oyo State.
“Several people have been reaching out to me, saying, ‘Oh, this incident happened in Anambra State. It also occurred in the FCT. Nobody went to jail. Why is it that in Oyo State, some people are going to jail?’ I said, ‘Well, Oyo State is not Anambra State, and no matter how highly placed, justice must be done.’
“The judiciary is here; it’s in their court. If you think you can grant bail pending trial, I have nothing against it. But for the trial, the people must go on trial. “
Makinde also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to justice, stating, “So, people come to me, and I’ve been saying to them, ‘Oyo State, even if this entire country decides not to follow the rule of law, in Oyo State, we will follow; we will dare to be different. We will uphold the rule of law.’”
READ ALSO: Ooni’s ex-wife arrested as Ibadan funfair stampede’s death toll hits 35
The Informant247 reports that a Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, ordered the remand of Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM; and Bashorun Islamic High School Principal, Fasasi Abdulahi, at the Agodi Correctional Facility, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
They were arraigned on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Court 1, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
It would be recalled that the Oyo State Police Command arrested ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdulahi; and six others in connection to the death of some children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The ex-queen was named as the main sponsor of the event that claimed no fewer than 35 children’s lives while six others were critically injured, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso.
The event, which was held at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, was made available to 5,000 children, but the number that turned up was reportedly over 7, 500.
Source: PUNCH
