How I Was Kept in a Single Cell With No Toilet at Agodi Prison — Oriyomi Hamzat Opens Up
How I Was Kept in a Single Cell With No Toilet at Agodi Prison — Oriyomi Hamzat Opens Up
The Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, has narrated what he described as a harrowing experience during his detention at the Agodi Correctional Centre, Ibadan, following his arrest over the December 2024 stampede incident that claimed the lives of several children.
Hamzat, who spoke publicly for the first time in detail since regaining his freedom, alleged that he was confined in a “single cell,” a section of the prison he described as the most severe and restrictive part of the facility, typically reserved for hardened or “stubborn” inmates.
According to him, upon arrival at the correctional centre, he was separated from the other defendants in the case. While Queen Naomi Silekunola was reportedly taken to the women’s section and the school principal involved was placed in a regular cell, Hamzat said he was taken straight to the single cell under what prison officials allegedly described as “orders from above.”
See also Mogaji of Ajayi Ida Dynasty Mourns Olubadan, says He was an Exemplary King
He explained that the cell lacked basic sanitary facilities, including a toilet, forcing inmates to relieve themselves within the confined space.
“The most dangerous cell at Agodi Prison is the single cell. That is where they put stubborn criminals. Once a person is locked inside, there is no toilet. If you want to use the restroom, you must do it inside the cell,” Hamzat said.
The Agidigbo FM boss further alleged that the condition of the cell posed serious health and safety risks, noting that there was no visible emergency exit in the event of incidents such as a fire outbreak.
“If there was a fire outbreak, we would all get burnt because there was no means of escape,” he said.
Recounting one of the most humiliating moments of his detention, Hamzat said there was a day he had no option but to defecate in a bowl and keep it beside him throughout the night due to the absence of toilet facilities.
“I had to defecate in a bowl and keep it with me overnight,” he added.
Hamzat claimed that some prison warders privately expressed sympathy over his situation, with one officer reportedly begging for his understanding and explaining that the circumstances surrounding his placement in the cell were beyond his control. He also said a warden once broke down in tears while visiting him.
The media executive said he spent the New Year Day, January 1, 2025, inside the cell, describing the moment as emotionally draining. He added that visits from family members were particularly painful, as they were unable to hide their tears upon seeing his condition.
“If you had seen me in that cell, you would have cried for me. My family members came and they were crying,” he said.
Maintaining his innocence, Hamzat insisted that he did not deserve the treatment he received, stressing that his involvement in the event that led to the stampede was driven by compassion and a desire to support children.
“I was imprisoned because I love children. I don’t joke with children. I didn’t deserve what happened to me,” he said.
While refraining from directly accusing any individual, Hamzat suggested that his incarceration went beyond routine legal procedure, adding that divine justice would ultimately prevail.
“Trust nobody. God knows the person behind this, and He will reward everyone accordingly,” he said.
Hamzat was arrested alongside Queen Naomi and the principal of the school where the tragic end-of-year children’s event was held in Ibadan in December 2024.
