A crowd of supporters who sympathised with the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola and the Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, have called for the duo’s release.
The two of them are being held in connection to the death of some children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on December 18, 2024.
According to Punch, 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.
Another person who was joined in the remand is the Principal of the Islamic High School, Ibadan, where the event was held, Fasasi Abdullahi.
The sympathisers were seen in a video shared by Drive TV News on its YouTube channel on Thursday, as observed by PUNCH Online.
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.
“My area commander is coming, and that’s the information I’m trying to pass across to you. The managers of the NTA are here, and that’s why they brought their cameras. They’ll listen to you and broadcast your procession,” he stated.
The Chief Magistrate adjourned the case till January 13, 2025, meaning that the defendants will spend Christmas and New Year in custody.
