The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has spoken out on his estranged wife, Naomi Silekunola’s arrest over the Ibadan stampede.
Kemi Filani reported in December that Naomi had gotten herself into trouble with her recent charity work. The mother of the crown prince, in collaboration with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, owned by Oriyomi Hazmat, had organized an event to feed the less privileged. Unfortunately, the event led to the death of over 32 children which was caused by a stampede.
The former Queen was arrested alongside Hazmat, and were remanded by a Chief Magistrate at the Agodi Correctional Facility. They were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Otunba Moses Olafere, in an interview with Saturday Punch on Friday, he assured his former wife that God will vindicate her trial. He asserted that Naomi had no ill intention of harming the children as he noted how she has organized similar events in the past.
Addressing those dragging him for not making moves to bring his former queen out of jail, he explained that he couldn’t interfere in the matter beyond praying for her. He stated that only God and the court could decide her fate.
“The case is before the court. We cannot interfere with the court process; we will wait for the court’s outcome, and we will not take any step that will jeopardize the court’s process on the matter. We hope she will eventually be exonerated. We don’t know what the court has for her.
“The only thing we can do for her now is to pray to God to vindicate her, and the Ooni, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, believes God will vindicate her because she had good intentions for the program. She has always cared for children, especially the underprivileged, even when she was in the palace. Nobody ever died during such events when she organized them in the past.
“She must have organized about three or four editions while at the palace, and nobody died. We understand she had been doing it even before she came to the palace and continued doing it after leaving the palace. The Ibadan edition is not the first children’s program she has held since leaving the palace”.
When the news broke out, Ooni had shown support for her as he expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He spoke highly of her character and how she was fond of organising similar events when she was royalty.
Many celebrities had also reacted to the news and have publicly shown support for her. Actor, Adeniyi Johnson noted how the people of Ondo State are known for their kind-heartedness and generosity. He prayed that God see her through and bring her back stronger.
Actress, Biola Bayo used Naomi’s case as a prayer point, praying that her good heart wouldn’t put her in trouble. Biola expressed how heartbroken she was as she noted how Naomi wanted to put a smile on people’s faces and ended up in a predicament.
Comedian, Woli Agba stated that he strongly believes this is not happening outside the knowledge of God. He prayed that she would be vindicated and the glory of God would shine brighter on her, and the desire of her enemies shall perish with them.
