Mother Of Ooni’s Former Wife Pleads For Intervention In Daughter’s Legal Troubles
Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunseyi, the mother of Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Tinubu and compassionate Nigerians to intervene in her daughter’s ongoing legal predicament.
Naomi Silekunola is one of three individuals arraigned before the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan over a tragic stampede at a funfair, which claimed the lives of 35 children last week. The court has ordered the remand of the accused on charges of conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical provisions at the event.
In a tearful video that has gone viral, Mrs. Ogunseyi called for mercy, describing her daughter’s intentions as purely humanitarian. She highlighted Naomi’s decade-long record of organising outreach programmes aimed at aiding 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,” Mrs. Ogunseyi pleaded. “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.”
Recounting the events, Mrs. Ogunseyi explained that the tragedy occurred hours before the programme was scheduled to start. According to her, crowds began gathering the night before, and chaos erupted by 6:30 a.m., long before Naomi arrived at the venue.
Mrs. Ogunseyi further revealed that Naomi, who was reportedly unwell, fainted during police interrogation and remains in custody despite her fragile health.
“The programme was meant to begin at 10 a.m., but people started arriving the day before. By 6:30 a.m., 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.
Mrs. Ogunseyi also claimed that her daughter’s ordeal is being orchestrated by powerful individuals, stating, “They say her ordeal is an ‘order from above.’ Please, I beg those in power to release her. She is not a killer; she came to help. Naomi is fragile and sick. President Tinubu, I beg you, come to our aid.”
She extended her condolences to the families of the deceased children, reiterating that the tragedy was unintended and deeply regrettable. Mrs. Ogunseyi’s emotional plea seeks to draw attention to what she believes is an unjust treatment of her daughter, who has spent years helping the vulnerable across the country.
