Queen Naomi and Oriyomi Hamzat
A Chief Magistrate Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has ordered the remand of three key figures in connection with last week’s tragic stampede at Bashorun Islamic High School.
The individuals include Abdullahi Fasasi, the school’s principal; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the proprietor of Agidigbo FM and the estranged wife of Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola.
Presided over by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, the court’s ruling came on Tuesday, following their arraignment by the Oyo State Police Command.
The proceedings took place under heightened security, with a crowd of family members and interested parties gathered outside the courthouse.
The defendants face four counts of charges related to the incident, as outlined by the police prosecutor, who cited a violation of Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
After hearing the charges, Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi ordered that the trio be held at Agodi Correctional Center while awaiting further guidance from the state prosecutor.
Meanwhile the southern governors have paid a condolence visit to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over last week’s stampede.
35 children were confirmed dead by the police authorities with several others injured.
Leading the delegation is the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
He described the event that led to the deaths of innocent children as a good initiative that turned bad, advising non-governmental organisations that have such initiatives to always work with the government for proper planning when organising such charity programmes.
Abiodun prayed for the repose of the souls of the children, who lost their lives, their bereaved parents and the people of Oyo State.
“I am here on behalf of myself, family, the entire people of Ogun State and the entire Southern Governors’ Forum of Nigeria,” he said.
“We have come to commiserate with the governor and the entire people of Oyo State on the very unfortunate incident that happened on Wednesday 18th of December, 2024, where a good initiative turned sour.
“We all woke up to the news the following day and I decided to come on behalf of all of us and condole with the governor and the people as well as the government of Oyo State.
“The entire Southern governors are pained by this occurrence. In Ogun State, we believe anything that affects Oyo State affects us as well. Our prayer is that we won’t witness such an occurrence again. We will continue to remember all those affected in our prayers.”
