Makinde calls for trial of Ibadan stampede culprits
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has pledged that those responsible for the tragic stampede at the Ibadan funfair, which resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children, will be held accountable and face trial, regardless of their social status.
He made this statement during the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for workers in the state, stressing that the rule of law will be upheld in Oyo State, even if it is not consistently observed elsewhere.
The founder of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, the principal sponsor of the ill-fated funfair, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, and the Principal of the Islamic High School, Mr. Abdullah Fasasi, are currently being held at the Agodi Custodial Centre following their arraignment at a magistrate court in Ibadan.
The three individuals were brought before the court on December 24, and after hearing from their legal representatives, the magistrate ordered their remand at the custodial center, pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Governor Seyi Makinde, in response to comparisons between this incident and similar ones in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory, where no one was held accountable, reaffirmed that Oyo State will not follow that precedent. He stressed that justice would be served in the state, regardless of the social status of those involved.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for workers, Makinde said, “In the past year, we faced challenges, including a near-tragic start in January 2024 with the explosion in Bodija that affected even my office and reverberated across Ibadan. We’ve moved past that. And then, toward the end of the year, we had the stampede at Islamic High School, Basharun, which claimed 35 innocent lives. May we never witness such a tragedy again in Oyo State.”
He continued, “A number of people have reached out, comparing our situation to incidents in Anambra and the FCT, where no one was held accountable. They’ve asked why those responsible in Oyo State are facing jail time. I told them that Oyo State is not Anambra, and no matter how high-ranking anyone might be, justice must be served. The judiciary is handling the matter, and while bail may be considered pending trial, these individuals will stand trial.”
Makinde’s firm stance underscored his commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice prevails in Oyo State.
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