Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunseyi, the mother of Naomi Silekunola, an estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, has made an emotional plea to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to save her daughter from what she described as unjust detention.
Naomi was among three individuals facing charges at the Iyaganku Magistrate Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, following a tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair that claimed the lives of 35 children.
LEADERSHIP reports that Naomi in collaboration with a popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and philanthropist, Oriyomi Hamzat, spearheaded the charity programme.
The court ordered the remand of the accused on charges, including conspiracy, negligence causing harm, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical facilities at the event.
In a heartfelt video that went viral, Mrs. Ogunseyi begged for mercy, asserting that Naomi’s actions were purely humanitarian. She revealed that her daughter had been running outreach programmes for over a decade, aimed at helping the needy, elderly, children, and pregnant women across Nigeria.
“Have mercy on me. Mothers, have mercy. Come to my rescue. Don’t let my life be destroyed,” Ogunseyi said, breaking into tears. “My child only came to Ibadan to help the needy; this was not her first time. We have travelled across the country helping children and the vulnerable. I sympathise with the families who lost their children; it was never our intention. Please, don’t let Naomi be imprisoned—she is innocent. She only came to show compassion.”
Mrs. Ogunseyi recounted the events leading to the tragedy, explaining that the programme was scheduled to begin at 10am, but an overwhelming crowd had gathered hours earlier. According to her, the stampede occurred at 6:30am, well before Naomi’s arrival at the venue.
“The programme was meant to begin at 10am, but people started arriving the day before. By 6:30am, the crowd became uncontrollable. Naomi wasn’t even there yet. I received a call about the chaos while still asleep. My phone number was on the event flyer, so I was the one contacted. Naomi, her elder brother, and I immediately went to the police station to report the incident, but she was detained and later charged with murder,” she narrated.
Ogunseyi further disclosed that Naomi, who was reportedly unwell, fainted during police interrogation and remains in custody despite her fragile health.
“She is fragile and sick,” Ogunseyi lamented. “Naomi fainted at the station, and they still took her to court. I don’t know where else to turn to. They say her ordeal is an ‘order from above.’”
The distraught mother accused unnamed “powerful persons” of orchestrating her daughter’s ordeal and appealed directly to President Tinubu and influential Nigerians to intervene in the matter.
“They have taken my child to prison. The court was full of policemen. Please, I beg those in power to release her. She is not a killer; she came to help. President Tinubu, I beg you, come to our aid,” Ogunseyi cried out.
LEADERSHIP reports that Naomi’s sister, Simi Oluwaseyi, also took to social media to question the alleged murder charges against her sibling, describing the situation as baffling and unjust.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Ogunseyi extended her condolences to the families of the deceased children, emphasising that the tragedy was an unintended consequence of her daughter’s goodwill.
“I sympathise with the families who lost their children. It was never our intention. Please, don’t let Naomi suffer for trying to help,” she said tearfully.
Recall that the stampede, which sparked national outrage, occurred during a charity event aimed at providing relief to the needy families.
Many called for a thorough investigation to determine the true circumstances surrounding the tragedy, just days after, similar outreaches also led to stampedes in Abuja and Anambra State causing loss of lives and leaving many other injured.
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