Funmilayo Ogunseyi, mother of Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the public to intervene in her daughter’s ongoing legal case.
Silekunola, along with two others, was recently arraigned at the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan following a tragic stampede at a funfair that left 35 children dead.
The court ordered her detention on charges of conspiracy, negligence, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical arrangements for the event.
In an emotional video that has since gone viral, Ogunseyi pleaded for mercy, explaining that her daughter’s intentions were purely humanitarian.
She highlighted Naomi’s history of organising outreach programmes over the last decade to support vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
“She only came to Ibadan to help the needy. This was not her first time. I sympathize deeply with the families who lost their children; it was never our intention,” Ogunseyi said tearfully.
Detailing the events leading to the tragedy, Ogunseyi explained that the crowd began gathering long before the programme’s scheduled start time of 10 a.m., with the stampede occurring at 6:30 a.m. before Naomi’s arrival.
She added that Naomi, who was unwell at the time, collapsed during police interrogation and remains in custody despite her poor health.
Ogunseyi claimed the ordeal was politically motivated, describing it as an “order from above.” She urged Tinubu and other influential figures to ensure her daughter’s release.
“Naomi is not a killer; she only came to show compassion. She is sick and fragile. Please, Mr. President, help us. Don’t let my daughter’s life be destroyed,” Ogunseyi pleaded.
She also expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased, emphasizing that the tragic incident was unintentional.
