A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan on Tuesday ordered the remand of several persons over the stampede which occurred on December 18 at a Christmas funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
According to the police, 35 minors died in the stampede while six others were critically injured.
Those to be remanded are the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the founder and chief executive officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi.
They are to be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
The court presided over by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi issued the order after the suspects were brought to court amid heavy security.
The defendants are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, and negligent acts causing harm.
The prosecution alleged that the trio played a role in the events leading to the stampede that turned the Christmas celebration into a tragedy.
Ogunkanmi directed that the defendants be remanded pending legal advice from the Oyo State director of public prosecutions.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu addressed the stampedes at charity events in Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra in his first media chat since inauguration. The president blamed organisers of the events for poor planning.
“I see this as a very grave error on the part of the organisers,” the Nigerian leader said.
“I’ve been giving to the less privileged at Bourdillon for the past 25 years, we’ve never experienced stampede.”
“Condolences to those who lost a family member, it is good to give. I have been giving out food stuff, commodities in Bourdillon. If you know you don’t have enough to give do not publicise it,” Tinubu added.
In response to the incident, the Oyo State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement, mandated all media houses hosting end-of-year children’s funfairs or public events to ensure the implementation of stringent safety measures.
The government also warned that any organisers of social gatherings, who jeopardised public safety, especially for children and the elderly, would face strict penalties as the year concludes.
Governor Makinde said he would put off his December 25th birthday celebrations in honour of the children who died in the stampede.
Makinde stated this in Ibadan on Friday while receiving the South-East delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, to condole with him.
The governor described the incident as painful, unfortunate and preventable.
He said due to the incident; he would have to put off his December 25th birthday celebrations and remain alone indoors.
“I will not go out; no birthday celebration this year,” he said.