Suspects in Ibadan stampede must face trial – Governor Makinde insists

Governor Seyi Makinde has again restated the commitment of his government to ensure the prosecution of all the suspects involved in the tragic stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children. 

The stampede occurred during a children funfair organized by Ooni of Ife’s former wife, Naomi Ogunseyi. Olori Naomi, media personality Hamzat Oriyomi. Naomi, Hamzat and the principal of the school have been remanded in prison custody.

On Monday January 6, at the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for state workers,  Governor Makinde addressed calls for leniency, stating that the rule of law will be upheld in Oyo State. He revealed that some individuals have argued that similar incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) did not lead to prosecutions, questioning why Oyo State should proceed differently.

 “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.

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.

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.”

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