“We hope she will eventually be exonerated” – Ooni of Ife talks about ex wife, Queen Naomi’s arrest over Ibadan stampede

• Naomi, in collaboration with Oriyomi Hazmat, organized a charity event to feed the less privileged, but it led to the tragic death of over 32 children.

• Former Queen and Hazmat were arrested and arraigned on charges of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has addressed the situation regarding his estranged wife, Naomi Silekunola, following her arrest in connection with the tragic stampede in Ibadan.

According to Kemi Filani’s report from December, Naomi encountered legal issues related to her recent charitable activities. In partnership with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, owned by Oriyomi Hazmat, she organized an event aimed at providing meals for the underprivileged. Unfortunately, this event resulted in the deaths of over 32 children due to a stampede.

Naomi was arrested alongside Hazmat and subsequently remanded at the Agodi Correctional Facility by a Chief Magistrate. They face four charges, including conspiracy, causing death by negligence, negligent acts causing harm, and failing to ensure adequate security and medical provisions.

In an interview with Saturday Punch on Friday, conveyed through his Chief Press Secretary, Otunba Moses Olafere, the Ooni expressed his belief that God would ultimately vindicate his former wife. He emphasized that Naomi had no intention of causing harm to the children, highlighting her history of organizing similar charitable events.

Responding to criticism regarding his lack of action to secure Naomi’s release, he clarified that his involvement is limited to prayer, asserting that only God and the judicial system can determine her outcome.

“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”.

Upon the announcement of the news, the Ooni extended his support by conveying his sincere condolences to the grieving families. He praised her character and noted her enthusiasm for organizing similar events during her time as royalty.