The mother of Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to intervene in her daughter’s ongoing legal troubles. Naomi is currently being held in custody by the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan, along with two other individuals, on charges of conspiracy, acts of neglect causing harm, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical facilities at a funfair event where a tragic stampede claimed the lives of 35 children last week.
In a viral video, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunseyi tearfully described her daughter’s actions as motivated by compassion, stating that Naomi had only come to Ibadan to help the needy. She highlighted Naomi’s decade-long philanthropic efforts, which have included outreach programs to support the elderly, children, and pregnant women across Nigeria.
Mrs. Ogunseyi expressed deep regret over the unintended tragedy and shared the events leading up to the stampede, explaining that crowds had begun to gather hours before the program’s scheduled start at 10 a.m. She revealed that Naomi, who was reportedly ill, fainted during a police interrogation and is still in custody despite her fragile condition.
The mother’s plea for mercy comes as she claims that her daughter’s predicament is the result of actions by “powerful individuals.” She begged President Tinubu and other influential Nigerians to intervene, stating, “They’ve taken my daughter to prison. The courtroom was filled with police officers. I don’t know where else to turn. They say this is an ‘order from above.’ Please, I beg those in power to release her. She is not a killer; she was only trying to help. Naomi is sick and fragile. President Tinubu, I beg you, please help us”.
Mrs. Ogunseyi also expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased children, stressing that the tragedy was never intended. As the case continues to unfold, many are calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede and the subsequent arrest of Naomi Silekunola.
