Nollywood actor, Femi Branch, has made a case for Naomi, ex-Olori of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Agidigbo FM founder, Oriyomi Hamzat, over their detention following the stampede that killed 35 children in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said they were not supposed to be detained, adding that security agents and some parents were responsible for the accident.
Reflecting on the matter that arose from Naomi’s bid to give charity, he noted: “I want to believe they have very good lawyers because this case is nonsense. This is not me being insensitive to the plight of the children who died; it is very tragic. But if the purpose is to punish those responsible for the death, how is it the organisers? Let’s look at the facts on the ground. The event was supposed to start by 10 am; the security personnel were supposed to arrive by 8.
“Is it a problem to do good in this country right now because we are dealing with so much, and a few people try once in a while with the little God has blessed them with to help people’s lives? This situation can happen to anybody. We understand the root cause of this matter is that there’s hunger in the land, but is it hunger that will make you endanger the life of your child? Throwing your child over a fence? How bad is that hunger? I think we’re sick; we’re not well as a people.
“And now the poor organisers who are trying to be a blessing are arrested and charged to court. What is going on? Don’t tell me you’re just trying to make an example of them. To what end exactly? We need to be careful because we’re setting a very terrible precedent. I think people need to speak up about this. Why have the police not fished out those parents who threw their children over the fence and also charged them? Because, as far as I’m concerned, those are the real offenders.
