Ooni’s ex Wife other culprits in Ibadan stampede incident must face the music – Makinde 

Ooni’s ex Wife other culprits in Ibadan stampede incident must face the music – Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has made a firm declaration that those responsible for the devastating stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children, will be held accountable in court, regardless of their position or influence.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for state workers on Monday, Makinde responded to growing calls for leniency, emphasizing that justice will take its course and the rule of law will prevail in the state.

Makinde also addressed concerns raised by some individuals who pointed out that similar tragedies in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) did not lead to criminal prosecutions, questioning why Oyo State should take a different approach.

He reassured the public that Oyo State is committed to ensuring that justice is served and those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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.’”