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Sympathisers plead for release of Ooni’s ex-queen, Hamzat

By Guardian Nigeria
27 December 2024   |   3:50 am
A crowd of sympathisers have called for the release of the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola and the Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat.

Ooni’s ex-wife, Naomi, others arrested as 35 die in Ibadan funfair stampede

A crowd of sympathisers have called for the release of the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola and the Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat.

The two are being held in connection with the death of some children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on December 18, 2024.

Silekunola and Hamzat are currently remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre in the state, following a court order on Tuesday by the presiding Chief Magistrate, Olabisi Ogunkanmi of Magistrate’s Court 1 sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan.

In a video shared by Drive TV News on its YouTube channel, some of the sympathisers, who were seen kneeling and crying, gathered at the Ibadan Network Centre of the Nigerian Television Authority.

They lamented that they have been unhappy following Silekunola and Hamzat’s arrests, adding that they were benefactors of their benevolence.

A man who identified himself as Peluola Akintayo, said, “I’m appealing to the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government for the release of Oriyomi and others who were arrested.”

A businesswoman identified as Kareem Toyin from the Afijio area of the state, who said she is the representative of the market women, said, “This man who was arrested, Alhaji Hamzat Oriyomi, is our helper. He always helps people in need. When we heard about the incident, we felt sad. We are using this medium to appeal to the affected people to please have mercy on him, Queen Naomi and the principal.

“We’re appealing to the FG and state government to be merciful to our helper. He answers us financially and morally, most especially we, market women.

“Most of the people who he used to assist with their feeding and well-being are at home crying. There are also those whom he pays some money to every month, and students who he pays for their school fees.”

A police officer who identified himself as the Divisional Police Officer of the Yemetu Police Division addressed the crowd.

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