The Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Mr. Abdullah Fasasi, ex-Queen of Ooni of Ife, Silekunola Naomi and ace broadcaster, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat have just been remanded at the Nigeria correctional centre, Agodi, Oyo.
The trio alongside other six people were arrested following the demise of 35 children who lost their lives to a stampede at the funfair organized by enstranged Queen.
The Chief Magistrate sitting in Iyaganku, Bisi Ogunkanmi remanded the three defendants on four count charges bordering on conspiracy and murder in connection with the children funfair stampede in Ibadan on Wednesday.
The three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Meanwhile, The case has been adjourned till the 14th of January 2025.
Recall that thirty five people among whom are children lost their lives during a stampede at an end of year event held at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared his resolve to ensure the controversial tax reform efforts by his administration see the light of the day.
The President on Monday during his maiden media chat in Ikoyi, Lagos, noted that the reform has come to stay.
“Tax reform is here to stay. We cannot just continue to do what we do in yesteryears in today’s economy,” he said.
“The reform is pro-poor and it is to widen the tax net, so we can have more people paying.
“The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done.”
When asked about his plans to manage the pushback from the Northern leaders, especially over proposed changes in sharing of Value Added Tax (VAT) following the introduction of the tax reform bills, he said “Tax matters are subject of debate, and negotiations until you reach concessions. I don’t mind cutting edges. I will.”
Recall that the bills, which caused uproar in sections of the country, including on the floors of the National Assembly, have passed second reading at the Senate.
Meanwhile, former Senate Chip Whip and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, in a statement on Sunday, insisted that the tax reform bills should be withdrawn for more consultations, noting the bills are not only against the northern part but the entire nation.
According to Ndume, his opposition to the bills was not borne out of sentiment but the need to review certain sections of the bills, adding that the North is never a liability to any region but an asset to the country.
ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that the Principal of Islamic High School Bashorun Ibadan, Abdullah Fasasi will be charged to Court today alongside the ace broadcaster, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and Prophetess Naomi at the Magistrate Court, Iyaganku by 9am.
It was gathered that the ace broadcaster, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat was arrested immediately after the directive given to the State Police Command that everybody that took part in organizing the event be brought to book.
Recall, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun took over the investigation of the Ibadan funfair stampede that led to the demise of 35 children.
The ex-queen of Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi who was the organizer of the funfair along with six other accomplices had earlier been arrested by the Police but said to have been rushed to hospital to receive urgent medical attention. She was quickly rushed to the Police Hospital and responded immediately to treatment.
As at the time of filing this report, the chargess levelled against them have not been made known to the public but they might be charged for negligence and manslaughter.
The Lagos State Government has issued a stern directive mandating all individuals and groups intending to distribute gifts to vulnerable residents to seek clearance before proceeding. This measure is aimed at preventing potential stampedes and ensuring public safety.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, emphasized the importance of this new requirement in a statement released on Monday. According to Omotoso, the Lagos State Safety Commission will oversee the clearance process, ensuring that organizers meet the stipulated safety standards.
“The Lagos State Government has observed with serious concern the stampedes that have occurred during philanthropic activities in various parts of the country,” the statement read. “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu extends his sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones in such tragic incidents.”
To avert similar tragedies in Lagos, the government has urged organizers to collaborate with the Safety Commission, which is equipped to manage crowd control and ensure safety at large gatherings. The agency will work in partnership with security personnel to enforce these measures.
Organizers can register their events and obtain clearance through the Safety Commission’s platform, ensuring compliance with the government’s safety protocols.
The statement further warned that any individual or group found distributing items without prior clearance would face legal consequences.
“The Government has activated all its safety mechanisms following a directive from Mr. Governor, who has also summoned a meeting of all safety agencies to address this issue. Furthermore, ongoing advocacy against fire outbreaks, flooding, and other hazards will be intensified,” Omotoso added.
This directive underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and promoting responsible philanthropy within the state. Residents and organizations are urged to adhere strictly to these guidelines to avoid penalties and ensure the safety of all.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, on Sunday identified poverty and criminal negligence as the main cause of the stampede that has led to the loss of Nigerians recently.
In a statement, the human rights lawyer also called for justice for the dead and injured victims, while chronicling some incidents that involved the distribution of food and cash distribution in the country.
He described the events as a national tragedy and called for systemic reforms to protect the dignity and lives of the citizens.
“There is also a sociological dimension to this national shame of episodic loss lives in stampedes triggered by mass hunger in the land,” Falana said.
“This should not be ignored. It is the unpardonable lack of respect for the dignity of the poor on the part of the members of the middle and upper classes involved in charity.”
He argued that organisers of charitable events should apply decency and demonstrate humanity while distributing food or cash items to the vulnerable.
To the senior lawyer, no member of the elite invites others to lunch by throwing the food. The class prejudice inherent in the humanitarian culture in Nigeria is worthy of reflection.
“Since the individuals whose criminal negligence led to the avoidable tragedies are members of the ruling class the federal government and state governments have not gone beyond sending condolence messages to the survivors and the family members of the casualties.
“Therefore, the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond has resolved to mobilise lawyers to institute civil suits to ensure that the survivors and family members of the casualties are adequately compensated,” he added.
In the last three days, at least 65 persons have lost their lives in stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Anambra, Oyo, and the federal capital territory (FCT).
While over 35 persons, mostly children, died on Wednesday during a stampede that occurred at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, 10 people died on Saturday during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama area of Abuja.
Many people had gathered at the church premises for an event to distribute relief items, just as the carnival organisers reportedly offered free food items to the first 5,000 attendees.
On Saturday, at least 20 people reportedly died in the Ojika community of Anambra during a stampede that occurred at a rice and gift-sharing event.
The Federal Government has announced Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th of December 2024, and Wednesday 1st of January, 2025 as public holidays for the celebration of Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year respectively.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, through the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the minister extended warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and strengthen bonds across families and communities.
The Minister also called on Nigerians to remain committed to the peace, unity and progress of the nation for national development.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” said Dr. Tunji-Ojo.
He assured citizens of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
“While wishing Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2025, the Minister expressed his confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s Administration ushering in the new year, a better and prosperous economy that will be the envy of the world”, the statement added.
The Islamic High School Old Students’ Association has called on the Oyo state police command to release Mr. Abdullah Fasasi, the school principal, on administrative bail.
The school principal was arrested and detained in connection to the Ibadan funfair tragedy that claimed 35 lives.
The president of the alumni association, Bayo Busari, has clarified the claims suggesting that the school principal approved the use of the facility for the funfair.
The National President of the Islamic High School Old Students Association, Mr Bayo Busari, made the demand in Ibadan on Saturday.
Reacting, Busari, said the association was neither averse to police investigation nor willing to obstruct it.
Busari, also refuted claims that the school principal approved the use of the facility for the funfair, clarifying that approval came from the Oyo State Ministry of Education.
He said, he wondered why the police detained the principal, while he was neither the organiser nor the person who approved the school facility for use.
“The narrative is not true; the Oyo State Ministry of Education gave the approval for the use of the school facility to Agidigbo FM since 2023, and it has been using it for its programme since then.”
“Our demand is that the principal be released, and we are ready to have him released on administrative bail.
“We will stand as surety for him,” the president said.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sympathised with Nigerians, particularly the residents of Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following two reports of stampede, which claimed many lives and left many others injured at Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.
He said the two tragedies happening a few days after 35 people died in Ibadan during a children’s carnival at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, is worrisome and calls for concern.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, also extended his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the sad events.
Sanwo-Olu, who wished the injured a quick recovery, also sympathised with President Bola Tinubu, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, over the ugly incidents.
He said: “It is with profound sorrow that I express my heartfelt condolences to Nigerians, particularly the residents of Anambra State and Abuja, over the tragic loss of many lives during food distribution stampedes at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community centre in Okija, Anambra State.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I extend our deepest sympathies to all those who are grieving at the moment. We share in their sorrow and stand with them during this difficult time.
“Following the trend of stampedes leading to the untimely death of some people, I want to urge individuals and organisations to be cautious in how they carry out their charitable and humanitarian activities.
“Taking care of the needy and vulnerable at this crucial time is the best thing to do, but adequate plans and safety measures should be put in place to prevent the reoccurrence of the stampedes recorded in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija.
“We pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the innocent Nigerians who died in the stampedes, and may the Almighty grant the families of the departed the strength to bear the irreparable loss.”
Government has warned residents of the state to be wary of scammers claiming that there is ongoing Chrismas Cash Grant for residents from Governor Dapo Abiodun, saying such message did not emanate from the government.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the copy which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Saturday.
The statement expained that the said message on social media platforms is the usual antics of fraudsters to swindle unsuspecting members of the public as they warned residents to disregard it in totality.
” We hereby warn residents of the state to disregard such message as antics of unscrupulous elements who are always out during festive periods like this to defraud innocent citizens of their hard earned resources”, the statement read.
ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that a 45-year-old suspected ritualist, Taiwo Yemitan, arrested at Lafenwa Area of Abeokuta. The suspect was caught with a fresh human head and dismembered body parts of a female victim.
According to SP Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, Yemitan was arrested at 1:40 a.m. on Sunday at his residence behind Atinsola petrol station, Sanni, Abeokuta. The police acted on a tip-off from local security outfits, the Agbekoya and Vigilante operatives.
Yemitan confessed to the crime, admitting that he lured the victim, identified as Darasimi, to his residence with the intention of killing her. He also named two accomplices, Kehinde Yemitan and Kazeem, stating that their intention was to sell the victim’s head and body parts.
The dismembered body has been taken to the general hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, for post-mortem examination. Efforts are underway to arrest the accomplices and locate the victim’s relatives.
This incident is not an isolated case, as a similar occurrence was reported earlier in the year. Azeez Adebayo, a suspect, confessed to killing three ladies who were lured through hook-up arrangements on a social media platform called “MY CHAT”.
The police spokesperson warned young ladies to be cautious of online dating sites and hook-up arrangements, emphasizing the need for parents to educate and protect their daughters from potential harm.
