• Group condemns detention of Ooni’s ex-wife, other over incident
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, vowed trial for suspects of the Christmas funfair stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan. The incident claimed no fewer than 35 children.
The governor made the vow in his address at the 2025 yearly inter-faith service for state workers at the Secretariat, Ibadan. Makinde, who was responding to the calls for leniency, stated that the rule of law would be upheld in Oyo State.
He said certain individuals had argued that similar incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) did not result in prosecutions, questioning why Oyo should proceed differently.
The governor responded: “Even if nobody is held accountable elsewhere, in Oyo State, the rule of law will prevail.” Makinde clarified that while he was not opposed to the court granting bail to the suspects, the judicial process must take its course. He emphasised that accountability is paramount in ensuring justice for the victims.
The programme, attended by labour leaders, workers, political appointees, and community leaders, provided a platform for the governor to reaffirm his commitment to justice and good governance in the state.
Makinde said: “In the out-gone 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.
“Quite a number of 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.”
MEANWHILE, a group, Kaaro Oojiire Omo Oodua Foundation (KOOOF), has condemned the detention of former wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, Chairman of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Dr Oriyomi Hamzat and the school principal, Abdullah Fasasi, over the incident.
In a statement by its Chairman, Asiwaju Olu Mayungbe, the group claimed that circumstances surrounding their remand were alarming and raised “questions about the fairness of our justice system.” Mayungbe said: “Going to a month, Queen Naomi has been incarcerated, a situation regarded as an abomination and a blemish on the Yoruba race. We weep for the Yoruba people, humanitarian givers, families of the victims, and those wrongly remanded. “The irony is glaring: parents who, out of desperation, threw their children over the fence, leading to their deaths, are not being held accountable. Instead, the humanitarians who attempted to provide assistance are being unjustly incarcerated and remanded without trial.”
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