By Seyi Babalola
Funmilayo Ogunseyi, the mother of Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has urged President Bola Tinubu and other Nigerians to weigh in on her daughter’s legal issues.
Silekunola is one of three people brought before the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan in connection with a terrible funfair stampede that killed 35 children last week.
The court has already ordered the accused’s detention in prison on allegations of conspiracy, negligent conduct causing damage, and failing to provide proper security and medical services for the event.
Ogunseyi begged for forgiveness in an emotive video that has gone viral, claiming that her daughter’s goals were only humanitarian.
According to her, Naomi had organised numerous outreach programmes over the past decade to assist the needy, elderly, children, and pregnant women across Nigeria.
She lamented that her daughter’s goodwill had inadvertently led to the stampede and subsequent deaths.
“Have mercy on me. Mothers have mercy. Come to my rescue. Don’t let my life be destroyed. My child only came to Ibadan to help the needy; this was not her first time.
“We have travelled across the country helping children and the vulnerable. I sympathise with the families who lost their children; it was never our intention. Please, don’t let Naomi be imprisoned—she is innocent. She only came to show compassion,” Ogunseyi said tearfully.
She recounted the events leading to the tragedy, noting that crowds had gathered hours before the programme’s scheduled start time of 10 a.m.
According to her, the stampede started at 6:30 a.m., far before Naomi arrived at the place.
Ogunseyi also said that Naomi, who was reportedly sick, collapsed during police interrogation and is still in detention despite her poor health.
“The programme was meant 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 chaos while still asleep.
“My phone number was on the event flyer, so I was the one contacted. Naomi, her elder brother, and I immediately went to the police station to report the incident, but she was detained and later charged with murder,” Ogunseyi narrated.
Breaking down in tears, Ogunseyi appealed to President Tinubu and other influential Nigerians to intervene. She claimed that her daughter’s predicament was orchestrated by “powerful persons.”
“They have taken my child to prison. The court was full of policemen. I don’t know where else to turn. They say her ordeal is an ‘order from above.’
“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 implored.
Ogunseyi also sent her sympathies to the families of the deceased children, emphasizing that the tragedy was unintentional.
