Funmilayo Ogunseyi, the mother of Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has made an emotional plea to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians, seeking intervention in her daughter’s legal troubles.
Naomi Silekunola, along with two others, is facing charges at the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan over a tragic stampede during a funfair that claimed the lives of 35 children.
The court has ordered their detention, citing allegations of conspiracy, negligent conduct causing harm, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical services at the event.
In a tearful video circulating online, Ogunseyi begged for understanding and forgiveness, insisting that her daughter’s intentions were purely humanitarian. She highlighted Naomi’s decade-long track record of organizing outreach programs to assist the needy, elderly, children, and pregnant women across Nigeria.
Ogunseyi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, acknowledging the lives lost but insisting that the tragedy was unintentional.
“Have mercy on me. Mothers, please have mercy. Help me save my daughter. She only came to Ibadan to help the needy—this wasn’t her first time,” Ogunseyi said. “We’ve travelled across the country assisting the vulnerable. I sympathize 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 leading to the stampede, Ogunseyi explained that crowds began gathering hours before the event, which was scheduled to start at 10 a.m. The chaos reportedly erupted at 6:30 a.m., well before Naomi’s arrival.
“The program was set 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 situation while I was still asleep,” Ogunseyi recounted.
She revealed that her phone number, printed on the event’s flyer, made her the first point of contact. Along with Naomi and her elder brother, she rushed to report the incident to the police, only for Naomi to be detained and later charged.
Ogunseyi also disclosed that Naomi, who has been unwell, collapsed during police interrogation and remains in detention despite her poor health.
“They have taken my child to prison. The court was filled with policemen. I don’t know where else to turn. They say her ordeal is an ‘order from above,’” Ogunseyi lamented.
Appealing to President Tinubu and other influential Nigerians, she implored, “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 also extended her condolences to the families of the deceased children, emphasizing that the tragedy was an unfortunate accident and not a result of negligence or malice.
