Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde, said pressure is being mounted on him for the state to drop charges preferred against organisers of Ibadan Children funfair that culminated in the deaths of 35 kids from crowd crush.
The promoters of the event: Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the founder of Agidigbo FM; Oriyomi Hamzat, and the Principal of the Islamic High School, the venue of the event; Mr Abdullah Fasasi, are currently facing prosecution on account of which they are held in Agodi Custodial Centre after their arraignment at a magistrate court in Ibadan.
However, similar occurences in Anambra State and Abuja where scores of people died have seen the organisers of the charity events walking free.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for workers in the state, Makinde said some persons had faulted the way Oyo government is handling the issue and wondered why the state is not giving the matter Abuja and Anambra treatment.
The pressure and criticism, he added, would not alter his position, which is to allow the law to take its course.
His actual words: “In the outgone year, we had challenges. 2024 started with us here in Oyo State, almost on a tragic note. 16th January 2024, we had an explosion here in Bodija. It affected even my office. They felt it all around Ibadan. We’re closing it out.
“And then towards the end of the year, we had the stampede at Islamic High School, Basharun. 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 thing happened in Anambra State. It happened also in FCT. Nobody went to jail. Why is it in Oyo State that 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.
“Judiciary is here, it’s in their court. If you think you can grant a bill pending the trial, I don’t have anything against it. But trial, the people must go on trial.”
