Queen Naomi clarifies her dance video after release on bail

Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, has unleashed a fierce and unrelenting response against what she perceives as a calculated attempt to desecrate her name and exploit her pain.

In the wake of the devastating Ibadan stampede of December 18, 2024, which claimed the lives of 35 innocent children, Naomi, who had just been released on bail after facing questioning over the tragedy, found herself at the center of an incendiary storm fueled by a video that resurfaced online.

The video, recorded in 2022, showed Naomi dancing—a joyful and innocent moment from her past. Yet, this same clip was maliciously reposted by content creator and gospel musician Olufunke Ayokunle on January 16, 2025, with the intention, according to Naomi, of fanning the flames of outrage.

The video was falsely framed as a recent event, leading to a barrage of unwarranted backlash from the public.

Through her formidable legal team, led by Joseph Adeola Lukman, Esq., and Musibau Adetunbi, SAN & Co., Naomi has issued a scathing demand letter to Ayokunle, accusing her of deliberate and premeditated actions designed to humiliate, mislead, and inflict emotional trauma.

The lawyers described Ayokunle’s actions as not only reckless but also cruel, aimed at weaponizing Naomi’s image during a time of collective grief to paint her as indifferent to the suffering of the victims’ families.

The fallout has been extensive, with prominent figures like APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe and journalist Reuben Abati reportedly drawn into the web of misinformation, both publicly condemning Naomi under the false impression that the video was a recent display of insensitivity.

In the demand letter, Naomi’s lawyers have called for an unreserved public apology, an immediate retraction of the misleading video, and a staggering N50 million in damages.

They have given Ayokunle a seven-day deadline to meet these demands or face the full force of legal action.

The letter, which was also sent to Igbokwe and Abati for their awareness, serves as a warning to all who perpetuate falsehoods to further their own agendas.

The legal team, as documented by Sahara Reporters wrote;

“The ill-timed posting of the old video has created a false impression that our client is callous and unperturbed about the tragic loss of lives. This perception cannot be further from the truth,”

The letter reads in parts, “We act as Counsel to Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi (hereinafter referred to as “our Client”) and on whose firm instruction we write you this letter.

“Our attention has been drawn to a viral video posted by you on your Facebook page with Facebook Handle: Olufunke Ayokunle few days after the release of our Client on bail from the Agodi Correctional Center on 13th January, 2025. In the said video which you posted on the 16th day of January, 2025, our Client together with some other persons were seen dancing and singing in their native language.

“The said video, which has now gone viral on different social media platforms, has generated a lot of negative comments, outcry, backlash and skewed narratives from members of the public who think, albeit erroneously, that the video is recent, and has perceived same to be callous and unsympathetic on the part of our Client.

“The skewed perception of some members of the public from the video which you posted is that our Client was celebrating her release from detention having just been granted bail by the Court on the 13th day of January, 2025. Among notable comments on the viral video is the one made by one Joe Igbokwe who noted on his Facebook page that:

“…This dance is bad behavior, no conscience, no remorse, no empathy, no regrets, no sympathy etc. This is despicable behavior and inhuman. This video was posted yesterday by one Olufunke Ayokunle.”

The letter further reads, “It is worthy of note that other public media personalities like Dr. Reuben Abati had publicized these negative, albeit untrue, comments against the person of our Client, all thanks to the video which you posted without any caption and/or explanation as to the actual time the video was made.”

Queen Naomi clarifies her dance video after release on bail