The mother of Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of Ooni of Ife, has made an emotional plea for her daughter’s release after Naomi was remanded in Agodi prison in connection with a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 minors last Wednesday.
In a video shared online, the distraught mother, overwhelmed by grief, tearfully insisted on her daughter’s innocence.
“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. Please, the world, help free Naomi, help free my daughter, she is very innocent,” she pleaded.
Prophetess Naomi, along with Oriyomi Hamzat, owner of Agidigbo FM, and Abdullahi Fasasi, principal of Islamic High School, has been charged with conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities at the event where the tragedy occurred.
Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody until January 13, 2025, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
During the court proceedings, defense counsels argued against the remand of their clients. Counsel to Hamzat, Ridwan Adekunle, claimed there was an earlier agreement to keep his client in police custody rather than prison. Similarly, Mr. Olajide, representing the principal, requested police custody instead of remand in prison. However, the court ruled otherwise.
Seven individuals were initially arrested in connection with the incident, though five have since been released.
Both Naomi and Hamzat reportedly required hospitalisation following the tragedy, with Naomi collapsing while in police custody.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has vowed a thorough investigation, promising that all responsible parties will face justice.
