Funmilayo Ogunseyi, mother of Naomi Silekunola, a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, has called on President Bola Tinubu and concerned Nigerians to intervene in her daughter’s legal troubles. Naomi was recently charged in connection with a tragic stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children.
Ogunseyi, in a heartfelt video, stated that her daughter’s intentions were purely humanitarian, as Naomi had organized similar outreach programs for over a decade to help the needy and vulnerable across Nigeria. She explained that the tragic stampede occurred hours before the event officially began, and her daughter was not present at the time. Despite this, Naomi, along with two others, was detained and charged with conspiracy and negligence.
The distraught mother pleaded for mercy, claiming powerful forces were behind her daughter’s ordeal. She urged the President and Nigerians to intervene, emphasizing Naomi’s innocence and frailty. “She is not a killer; she only came to help,” Ogunseyi said, adding her condolences to the victims’ families while appealing for compassion and justice.