Again, Ex-Wife Of Ooni Of Ife Reportedly Faints In Agodi Prison, Rushed To Hospital
PROPHETESS Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, reportedly fainted while in custody at Agodi Prison, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 25 December 2024, prompting her swift transfer to a hospital for urgent medical care.
According to multiple reports, the former queen was absent from court proceedings on 24 December 2024, following a judicial directive that ordered her to spend Christmas in prison.
Naomi, Oriyomi and the school Principal were ordered remanded in Agodi Correctional Facility.
It will be recalled that the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, had expressed sympathy with the families of children whose lives were lost at a funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.
“We share in the grief and pains that have engulfed the affected families. We pray that Olodumare grants them the fortitude to bear this trying time,” the monarch’s spokesman Moses Olafare said in a statement on Thursday.
At least 35 persons have been confirmed dead in the stampede that occurred at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event organised by Wings Foundation owned by the former queen.
The police arrested the ex-wife of the monarch and seven others for their alleged involvement in the ill-fated funfair.
The police said the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with a Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.
Ooni’s spokesman expressed sympathy with the government of Oyo State and the families of the children whose lives were lost in the tragedy.
The palace also showed solidarity with the ex-queen, saying she genuinely cared for children and organised similar events in Osun State when she was queen.
The palace spokesman said, “While at the Ile Oodua here as a queen, Ms Naomi Silekuola Ogunseyi demonstrated love and care to the children of Ile-Ife through similar events which she executed passionately to give succour to children of indigent parents every December periods like this.
“The House of Oduduwa pledges to support all efforts aimed at bringing solace and healing to those affected by this devastating loss.
“The House of Oduduwa calls for immediate actions to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for rigorous adherence to safety standards and child welfare policies in educational institutions.”
Meanwhile, explaining how it happened, Hamzat Oriyomi, the Chairman of Agidigbo FM, the media partner to the organisers of the event said:
“There was a security measure. But before the arrival of the law enforcement agencies. People had been there before the starting time which was 10am.
”Forcing themselves into the school. So what do we want the organisers to do?? All these incidents started around 5am far from the scheduled time. People are just too greedy and impatient.”