The mother of Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians after her daughter was remanded in prison in connection with a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 minors in Ibadan last week. The stampede occurred during a public event organized to provide charitable aid to vulnerable children, but it ended in disaster.
In a video that has since gone viral, Naomi’s mother, visibly distraught, can be heard sobbing as she implores the public and authorities to release her daughter, insisting that Naomi was not responsible for the calamity. Her pleas come after the court’s decision to remand Naomi in Agodi prison alongside other individuals involved in the event’s organization, pending the outcome of a full investigation.
“Help me, have mercy on me, don’t let them destroy my life. My daughter has been doing this program for over 10 years, it is to help children,” Naomi’s mother said tearfully in the short clip. “Please, the world, help free Naomi. She is very innocent.”
The tragedy unfolded last Wednesday when a large crowd gathered at a charity event in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, organized by Naomi’s non-profit initiative aimed at aiding children and vulnerable families. What was intended as a peaceful and compassionate gathering turned chaotic when the crowd became uncontrollable, leading to a deadly stampede that left dozens of children dead and many others injured.
Naomi’s mother, who spoke to reporters, expressed her anguish over the accusations leveled against her daughter. “My God! Please help me! Please help me,” she continued, her voice breaking. “Naomi has been doing this program for over a decade to help people, old people, pregnant women. All the women who lost their children, I commiserate with you. But this was not the aim. Please let them release Naomi. She is very innocent. Government, please help me and release Naomi.”
Naomi, the former Queen of the Ooni of Ife, had been hospitalised for a period following the incident, reportedly in a state of shock. Along with Naomi, two other key figures connected to the event were also arrested and charged. These include Mr. Hamzat Oriyomi, the owner of Agidigbo FM, and Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of an Islamic school in the region. They, along with Naomi, face multiple charges including conspiracy, negligent acts leading to death, failure to provide adequate security, and causing harm to the attendees.
The charges stem from the alleged failure to properly plan and secure the event, resulting in the catastrophic stampede. According to the court, the defendants will remain in custody until January 13, 2024, while awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Oyo State.
Despite the defense lawyers’ efforts to have their clients released into police custody rather than prison, the magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, upheld the remand order. Mr. Ridwan Adekunle, counsel for Hamzat Oriyomi, argued that there had been a mutual understanding with the police that his client would be kept in police custody rather than prison, a plea that was rejected by the court.
In a statement to the press, Mr. Adekunle said, “We have made the argument that my client should not be taken to prison, but rather be kept in police custody until further investigations are completed.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Olajide, the defense attorney representing Mr. Fasasi, also requested that his client be remanded in police custody instead of prison, highlighting that the circumstances surrounding the case were not criminal in intent. However, Magistrate Ogunkanmi maintained that remand in prison was necessary due to the gravity of the charges.
As the legal process continues, Naomi’s mother remains at the forefront of the campaign for her daughter’s release, rallying support from the public. “I be you in the name of God, help me. You all know what Naomi has been doing for years. She is an innocent woman who was only trying to help,” she said in her emotional appeal.
While the case has drawn widespread attention, especially among Naomi’s supporters and well-wishers, it has also raised broader questions about the safety of large public gatherings in Nigeria, particularly those aimed at charity and humanitarian work. The authorities have promised to conduct a thorough investigation to determine who was responsible for the tragic incident and ensure that justice is served.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, speaking shortly after the event, assured the public that the state government would leave no stone unturned in its investigation. “We will ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable, and we will work with law enforcement to ensure that such an incident never happens again.”
The stampede has sparked widespread condemnation, and many Nigerians have expressed outrage over the lack of safety measures at public gatherings in the country. The incident has also drawn attention to the often inadequate provisions for crowd control and emergency medical services at large-scale events.
Despite the gravity of the charges against her, Naomi’s family continues to insist on her innocence. “She’s only been trying to help,” her mother reiterated. “This was never her intention. Please, release my daughter.”
