The mother of former Queen of Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola has cried out to Nigerians to help her after her daughter was remanded in Agodi prison, over the stampede that led to the death of 35 minors, last Wednesday.
In a short clip, the mother, distraught and in tears, could be seen wailing and declaring that her daughter is innocent of the charges against her, reports Vanguard.
She said, “Help me, have mercy on me, don’t let them destroy my life, my daughter has been doing this programme for over 10 years, it is to help children. Please, the world, help free Naomi, help free my daughter, she is very innocent.”
Naomi alongside the owner of Agidigbo FM, Mr. Hamzat Oriyomi, and the Principal of Islamic School, Bashorun, Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi 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.
According to the court, they would be in prison custody till January 13, pending the advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.
Though the counsel of the accused tried to convince the court not to remand their clients, the Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi, ordered that they should be remanded pending the advice from the DPP, of the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
Counsel to Oriyomi Hamzat, Mr Ridwan Adekunle told the court that there was a mutual agreement between him and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) Legal, that his client would not be taken to prison but kept in police custody.
In his submission to the court, counsel to the principal, Mr. Olajide, argued that his clients should not be arraigned in court, urging the court to send them to the police custody instead of prison custody.
The case, marked C/2024 was instituted by the Commissioner of Police. Though, seven suspects were earlier arrested, five of them were released.
Recall that Oriyomi and Queen Naomi had been hospitalised after the unfortunate incident.
Oriyomi said he was in shock following the incident while the queen reportedly slumped while being kept in police custody.
Following the incident, Governor Seyi Makinde vowed that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted and all those found culpable would be made to face the wrath of the law.
