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Funmilayo Ogunseyi, the mother of Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has made an emotional appeal to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian public, urging for intervention in her daughter’s legal troubles following a deadly stampede at a recent funfair event in Ibadan.
Naomi Silekunola, along with two others, was remanded in custody by the Iyaganku Magistrate Court, facing charges of conspiracy, neglect causing harm, and failing to provide adequate security and medical support at the event, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
In a tearful video that has gone viral, Mrs. Ogunseyi pleaded for mercy, stressing that her daughter’s intentions were purely humanitarian. “My child only came to Ibadan to help the needy,” she said. “This was not her first time. We have traveled across the country helping vulnerable children and adults. I sympathize deeply with the families who lost their children. Please, don’t imprison Naomi—she is innocent.”
Mrs. Ogunseyi highlighted Naomi’s decade-long commitment to philanthropy, focusing on supporting children, the elderly, and pregnant women. She expressed sorrow over the tragedy, saying, “Please don’t let my life be destroyed.”
Explaining the tragic events, Mrs. Ogunseyi stated that crowds began gathering at the event hours before its scheduled start at 10 a.m., with the stampede beginning at 6:30 a.m.—well before Naomi arrived at the venue. Naomi was reportedly not present when the chaos started, and her mother received calls due to her number being listed on the event flyer.
Naomi, who was ill, fainted during police questioning and remains in custody despite her frail condition. Mrs. Ogunseyi explained, “Naomi wasn’t even there yet. I went with her older brother to the police station to report the incident, but she was arrested and later charged with murder.”
In her plea, Mrs. Ogunseyi urged President Tinubu and influential Nigerians to intervene, claiming that powerful figures were behind her daughter’s detention. “They’ve taken my daughter to prison. The courtroom was filled with police officers. They say this is an ‘order from above.’ I don’t know where else to turn,” she cried. “She is not a killer. Naomi was only trying to help. She is sick and fragile. Please, Mr. President, I beg you, help us.”
She also offered condolences to the families who lost their children, stressing that the tragic events were unintentional.
