Silekunola is among the three individuals remanded in custody by the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan, the state capital.
The former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola’s brother has come forward to say that all relevant institutions and bodies were duly informed about the ill-fated children’s party in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Silekunola is among the three individuals remanded in custody by the Iyaganku Magistrate Court in Ibadan, the state capital.
They face charges of conspiracy, acts of neglect causing harm, and failure to ensure adequate security and medical facilities at a funfair event where a tragic stampede claimed the lives of 35 children last week.
Speaking in a live programme hosted by media personality, Daddy Freeze which SaharaReporters monitored on Instagram, Naomi’s brother who claimed to have been an age-long member of her sister’s ministry said they sought the approval of all necessary agencies to host the party which claimed the lives of dozens of children in Ibadan.
He said: “I have been reading comments online, and a lot of people are of the opinion that there was no proper planning and that was why this incident happened. My sister started with a crusade. She is not a novice in organising events. She has been doing it for years and I have always been part of all her events, either crusade or the NGO aspect of her ministry.
“This time around, Ibadan was chosen to come and have the event. I don’t want to mention names here but all the necessary stakeholders that were meant to be involved in this programme were involved in this programme. They were carried along but unfortunately, we heard what had happened.”
We had also reported how Naomi’s mother, Mrs Funmilayo Ogunseyi tearfully appealed for mercy, describing her daughter’s actions as motivated by compassion in a viral video.
“Have mercy on me. Mothers, have mercy. Come to my rescue,” Ogunseyi implored. “My child only came to Ibadan to help the needy; this was not her first time. We have travelled across the country helping children and the vulnerable. I sympathize with the families who lost their children; it was never our intention. Please, don’t let Naomi be imprisoned—she is innocent.”
Mrs Ogunseyi had highlighted Naomi’s decade-long philanthropic efforts, which have included outreach programmes to support the elderly, children, and pregnant women across Nigeria.
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