The management of Agidigbo FM has issued a statement to dismiss circulating rumors regarding the release of its chairman, Oriyomi Hamzat, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, and the principal of an Islamic school, Abdullahi Mfasasi, from prison. The rumors had claimed that the trio was released from Agodi prison, where they have been detained following their involvement in the tragic stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State, which claimed the lives of 35 people.
In a Facebook post shared on Hamzat’s official page, the management described these reports as “fake news” and urged the public to disregard them. The statement also emphasized the importance of halting the spread of such misinformation and warned those responsible for disseminating the rumors.
The statement reads, “The Management of Agidigbo FM has described as fake news, the rumor circulating that the chairman of Agidigbo 88.7FM Oriyomi Hamzat, ex-queen of Ooni of Ife Naomi Silekunola, and the Principal of Islamic High School Abdullahi Mfasasi, have been released from prison. We urge the public to disregard this rumor and strongly warn those spreading it to cease immediately. Stop the spread of fake news!!”
The controversy stems from Naomi Silekunola’s detention in Agodi prison, where she has been held since the stampede occurred. According to SaharaReporters, Naomi, who had organized the event in an effort to assist children and other vulnerable groups, is currently on hunger strike. Her mother, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunseyi, confirmed in an interview that Naomi’s health had deteriorated during her time in detention. Mrs. Ogunseyi revealed that during a recent visit to the prison, Naomi was visibly upset, lamenting the tragic loss of life.
“She wasn’t happy about the whole incident. She loves children. The queen loves and helps children, single mothers, old women, and widows. She is still in pain that those children lost their lives because her intention was pure,” Ogunseyi shared.
Naomi, who has long been an advocate for children and vulnerable communities, was reportedly devastated by the deadly outcome of the event she had planned. Ogunseyi further explained that Naomi had been organizing such charitable events for years, with the goal of improving the lives of those in need.
Meanwhile, both Hamzat and Mfasasi were arraigned in an Ibadan Magistrate Court on December 24 and subsequently remanded in prison, where they remain.
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