The travails of Oriyomi Hamzat, journalist implicated in the Ibadan stampede
Watchers of recent events surrounding embattled Ibadan-based broadcast journalist Oriyomi Hamzat may not know this; there seems to be a particular fate following him, and this fate often leads him into difficult circumstances similar to the one that led to the December 18, 2024, stampede at Islamic High School, Ibadan, which left 35 children dead.
Arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan for their roles in the tragic incident, Oriyomi, alongside the Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife, Naomi Silekunola, and the principal of the school where the ill-fated funfair was held, are currently remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
But this is not the first time the CEO of Agidigbo FM would be remanded in prison custody. Back in 2017, Oriyomi was incarcerated at the same Agodi custodial facility after one of the young boys at his unregistered orphanage was found dead in his car. There were conflicting accounts of the incident at the time. While some reports indicated Oriyomi was driving the vehicle conveying the 17-year-old who died, others alleged one of his assistants was behind the wheel.
Nonetheless, the broadcast journalist and four others were arrested and charged before an Iyaganku Ibadan Magistrate Court and were subsequently remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
But before that incident, Oriyomi had been a vocal critic of the government of the day led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He had at the time claimed to live in hiding for fear of reprisals from the Ajimobi government. Thus, his ordeal at the time was portrayed as politically motivated.
He would later regain his freedom and continue his criticism of the Abiola Ajimobi government from his hideout, using the medium of Facebook.
However, in the build-up to the 2019 elections, Oriyomi joined forces with the opposition in Oyo State, particularly Engr. Seyi Makinde, who contested the gubernatorial election and won. The relationship between the Ibadan-born journalist and the governor thus blossomed.
He would, much to the surprise of many people, launch Agidigbo 88.7 FM, which was commissioned by Governor Makinde on March 25, 2021.
Born to Kunle Hamzat, a famous NTA Ibadan television presenter, Oriyomi had followed in his dad’s footsteps and built a name for himself from his days at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Amuludun FM, Ibadan, owned by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and Petals FM, Ibadan, where he popularised his Yoruba language program, ‘Kokoro Alate.’
His popularity soared after establishing Agidigbo FM as he consolidated on the success of his wave-making radio program, through which he warmed his way into the hearts of millions of radio listeners across the Southwest of the country.
Oriyomi, who built his personal brand around activism, philanthropy, and social media crowdfunding initiatives for people in need, was further catapulted to stardom following the prominent role he played in the investigation that resulted in the conviction of hotelier and businessman Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, sentenced to death last year for the 2021 murder of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
Now, the tables have turned. The celebrated journalist, noted for using his platform to highlight the plight of the less privileged and raise his voice against injustice, is now a victim of circumstance and faces charges for his involvement in the death of 35 children at the Christmas funfair organised by the Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife, Naomi Silekunola.
Oriyomi’s fans are calling for his release from Agodi, where he is being held. Governor Makinde has been quoted as having said his relationship with the popular journalist will not stand in the way of justice. In such a precarious situation, the fate of the notable journalist and those facing charges with him remains hanging until January 14, 2025.
