The mother of former Ooni Queen of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, has appealed to Nigerians to help her after her daughter was remanded in Agodi Prison, over the stampede that led to the death of 35 minors in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.
In a short video, the mother tearfully pleaded and declared that her daughter is innocent of the charges against her.
She said: “Help me, have mercy on me, don't let them destroy my life, my daughter has been doing this program for more than 10 years, it is to help children. Please, world, help free Noemí, help free my daughter, she is very innocent.”
It will be recalled that Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi of the Oyo State Magistrate Court 1, sitting at Iyaganku in Ibadan, on Tuesday ordered the remand of a former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi; Agidigbo FM owner Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Bashorun Islamic Secondary School, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde, at the Agodi Custodial Centre.
The Court said the remand order was pending the issuance of legal advice by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
The charges read: “That you Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi F, Alh, Oriyomi Hamzat 'M', Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde 'M' and others now at large, on the 18th day of December 2024, between 5:00 am and 8:00 am am, at the Islamic Secondary School, Bashorun Area, Ibadan, in the Ibadan Magisterial District, conspired with each other to commit a serious crime. wit: Acceleration of death and therefore committed a crime Contrary to article 324 of the Penal Code, Cap. 38, vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.
“May you Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi 'F', Alh. Oriyomi Hamzat 'M', Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde 'M' and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial, illegally accelerated the death of Musiliu Sofiat 'f', 8 years and thirty-four (34 ) to others aged between 5 months and 13 years by inviting them to a children's fair program, but did not provide them with adequate medical or security facilities to prevent a stampede at the place and therefore committed a crime contrary to article 311 and punishable under article 319 of the Penal Code, cap. 38, vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.
“That you Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi 'F', Alh, Oriyomi Hamzat 'M', Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde 'M' and others now at large, on December 18, 2024, between 5:00 am and 8:00 am, at The Islamic Secondary School, Bashorun Area, Ibadan, in the Ibadan Magisterial District, conspired with each other to commit a crime namely: Negligent acts that caused harm and therefore committed a crime. Contrary to article 517 of the Penal Code, cap. 38, vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.
“May you Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi 'F', Alh. Oriyomi Hamzat 'M', Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde 'M' and others now at large, on the same date, time and place at the aforementioned magisterial, unlawfully failed to provide adequate medical and security facilities and a conducive atmosphere to prevent stampedes in the park of children's attractions. program before inviting them to the place that caused the death of Musiliu Sofiat 'f Age 8 years and thirty-four (34) other persons between the age of 5 months to 13 years and therefore committed a contrary crime and punishable under article 344 of the Penal Code, cap. 38, vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.”
Following the incident, Governor Seyi Makinde promised that a thorough investigation would be carried out and all culprits would face the wrath of the law.
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