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.
She said, “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.”
Naomi alongside the 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.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on Areatatafo.com.ng to reach thousands of our daily users