Funmilayo Ogunseyi, the mother of Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian public for intervention in her daughter’s legal troubles following the tragic stampede in Ibadan that claimed over 40 children’s lives.
Naomi, along with two others, was arraigned before the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan on charges of conspiracy, negligent conduct, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical measures during the event. The court subsequently remanded the accused in custody pending further proceedings.
In an emotional video shared on Instagram, Ogunseyi pleaded for understanding and leniency, asserting her daughter’s innocence and humanitarian intentions.
“My daughter has been organizing outreach programs for over a decade to help the vulnerable, elderly, children, and pregnant women across Nigeria,” Ogunseyi said tearfully.
Account of the Incident
Recounting the events leading to the tragedy, Ogunseyi explained that the stampede occurred hours before the event’s scheduled start time of 10:00 a.m. She said attendees began arriving the night before, with the crowd becoming uncontrollable by 6:30 a.m., long before Naomi arrived at the venue.
She added that Naomi, reportedly in poor health, fainted during police interrogation and remains in custody despite her condition.
“We sympathize deeply with the families who lost their children. This tragedy was never our intention,” she said. “Naomi wasn’t even at the venue when the chaos started. She went to the police herself to report the incident, yet she was detained and now stands accused of murder.”
Allegations of Influence
Ogunseyi suggested that her daughter’s predicament was the result of powerful individuals acting behind the scenes.
“They have taken my daughter to prison under what they call an ‘order from above,’” she claimed. “The court was packed with policemen. I don’t know what else to do.”
A Plea for Intervention
Appealing to President Tinubu and other influential figures, Ogunseyi implored for justice and the release of her daughter, emphasizing Naomi’s fragile health and humanitarian work.
“Naomi is not a killer; she came to Ibadan to help the needy. President Tinubu, I beg you, come to our aid. Please don’t let her life be destroyed,” Ogunseyi pleaded.
The incident has sparked nationwide conversations about crowd control and safety at public events, as well as the need for accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigation.
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