A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday ordered the remand of Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, the CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
The remand followed their arraignment over last week’s tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair held at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children and injuries to six others. Presided over by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, the court issued the remand order after the suspects were presented under tight security.
The defendants face a four-count charge, with the police prosecutor stating that the offences violate Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The prosecution claimed that the trio contributed to the events that led to the stampede, turning the Christmas celebration into a tragic incident.
Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre while awaiting legal advice from the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecutions. The court session, which attracted considerable public interest, was marked by heavy security as law enforcement officers closely guarded the suspects during their arrival and departure from the court premises.
Ibadan Funfair Tragedy
Thirty-five children lost their lives in a stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria, while six others were hospitalized, according to the police. The event’s organizers had promised cash giveaways and food, drawing an overwhelming crowd that led to a crush as people tried to gain entry.
Residents reported that over 5,000 children had gathered at the venue, with the stampede occurring when the main organizers arrived to commence the event. The police have arrested eight individuals connected to the event, including its primary organizer, Naomi Silekunola, a prominent figure in the city.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the grieving parents and has called for a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy.
The Oyo State government confirmed that victims were transported to various hospitals across Ibadan for treatment following the stampede at Islamic High School in the Bashorun area of the city. Authorities have urged parents searching for their children to check with local hospitals.
Medical staff at one hospital said that six children had been admitted, but only two survived, while four succumbed to their injuries. At another hospital, a doctor, speaking anonymously, reported counting three deceased bodies.
Some affected parents revealed to journalists that they had brought their children to the venue of the “End of the Year Christmas Funfair” as early as 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday—five hours before the event’s scheduled start—hoping to receive the promised cash handouts of 5,000 naira (approximately £2.50 or $3) and free food.
Nigeria’s ongoing economic crisis, the worst in a generation, likely contributed to the overwhelming turnout, with reports indicating over 10,000 attendees.
This tragic incident is one of several similar occurrences this year. In March, two female students lost their lives, and 23 others were injured at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, when a rice distribution by the state governor caused a crowd surge. Three days later, in Bauchi State, at least seven people died during a crush at a handout event by a philanthropist distributing 5,000 naira.
In February, five people were killed in Lagos during a Nigerian Customs Service auction of seized rice. The crowd surge for the discounted bags of rice, sold for about $7, led to the deaths and injuries of dozens more.
