Ibadan Stampede: Gov Makinde insists ex-Ooni’s wife, Hamzat, others must face trial

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has vowed that those responsible for the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 minors during a funfair at Islamic High School, Basorun Ibadan, on December 18, 2024, will be brought to trial.

Speaking at the annual interfaith service to mark the beginning of 2025, held at the Governor’s Office Secretariat, Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing justice for the victims and preventing similar incidents in the future.

Eight individuals were initially arrested in connection with the incident. Three of them, including the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Ogunwusi; the owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and Basorun High School principal, Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde, were remanded in custody at the Agodi Custodial Centre in Ibadan, pending a court hearing later this month.

Makinde addressed criticism over the decision to prosecute the organisers, noting he had received numerous calls urging leniency.

“Thirty-five innocent lives were lost; such a tragedy must never happen again in Oyo State by God’s grace.

“Some people told me this happened in Anambra and FCT, and no one went to jail. But Oyo State is not Anambra, and justice must prevail, regardless of anyone’s status,” Makinde reaffirmed.

He reiterated that the judiciary would handle the matter, stating: “If they think bail can be granted pending trial, that’s within the court’s jurisdiction, but a trial must happen.

“Even if the rest of the country disregards the rule of law, Oyo State will stand firm and uphold it,” Makinde reiterated.