By Olaitan Ibrahim
The Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has insisted that those involved in the stampede at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children, must face trial.
The stampede had occurred at a charity programme organised in Oyo State.
This is even as the governor noted that he wasn’t against the suspects being granted bail in the case.
He noted that the case must be heard regardless of the status of those involved.
His comments came as he noted that some persons had argued that similar incidents in Abuja and Anambra did not lead to prosecutions wondering why Oyo State was different.
Makinde shared his thoughts at the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for state workers. He addressed calls for leniency, stating that the rule of law would be upheld in Oyo State.
The governor stated that while there may be no prosecutions elsewhere, the case will be different in Oyo State.
The governor responded firmly, stating, “Even if nobody is held accountable elsewhere, in Oyo State, the rule of law will prevail.”
Makinde said, “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. We will uphold the rule of law.’”
It would be recalled that owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, the estranged queen Of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Naomi Silekunola, have been remanded in custody over their roles in the stampede that killed many and which led to an uproar across the country.