Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, has called for a public apology and retraction from Olufunke Ayokunle, a content creator and gospel musician, for sharing an old video of her dancing following the recent deadly stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to Naomi, the video, originally recorded in 2022 was falsely presented as recent, sparking backlash just days after her release on bail in connection with the December 18, 2024, stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children.
Naomi’s legal team, led by Joseph Adeola Lukman, Esq., and Musibau Adetunbi, SAN & Co., issued a formal demand letter accusing Ayokunle of malicious intent.
The letter states that the reposted video, shared on January 16, 2025, has generated negative public backlash, misleading figures such as APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe and journalist Reuben Abati, among others, into believing she is unsympathetic to the victims’ families.
The letter was also sent to Igbokwe and Abati for their attention.
“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 legal team said.
Naomi explained that the video had no connection to recent events and was taken over two years ago.
She asserted that Ayokunle was aware of its original date but still reposted it, causing unwarranted criticism and emotional distress.
The lawyers have demanded the immediate retraction of the video, a public apology, and the payment of N50 million in damages within seven days. Failure to comply may result in legal action.
The letter reads, “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.
“Our interaction with our Client disclosed that the said video was made as far back as 2022 and that you were seised with the knowledge of this fact as at the time you disingenuously posted the video on 16th January, 2025. Our Client also made us understand that you are in the habit of always posting her videos and pictures on Facebook and other social media platforms to gain public traction and followership for your social media platforms and blogs.
“Madam, as you are well aware, our Client has never made any video and/or granted any press conference/interview or made any social media posting since she was magnanimously released on bail by the Honourable Court on the 13th day of January, 2025. In fact, one of the conditions of her bail is that she should steer clear of the internet, the press and the social media especially as it relates to the criminal charge against her, pending the determination of the charge.”
“Thus, it is our honest belief that for you to have posted the video in question as at the time you did, which was just a few days after our Client had been released on bail, does not only smack of bad faith, but same is ill-timed, unfair, thoughtless and a slap to common sense. The public backlash, opprobrium and negative comments which our Client is now receiving is as a result of your lack of circumspection and caution in handling sensitive and delicate matters such as the instant one,” the legal team says.
According to Naomi lawyer, “Your ill-timed posting of an old video of our Client which, according to our Client, had been made since 2022, has misled the likes of Joe Igbokwe and other members of the public to believe that our Client is inhumane, unsympathetic and unperturbed about the plights of the families that lost their beloved ones in the unfortunate stampede incident of 18th day of December, 2024, which stance cannot be further from the truth”.
Stating the demands, the lawyers say in the letter, “In view of the foregoing, we have the firm instructions of our Client to demand the following from you: That you retract the said video within 24 hours from the date of this letter;
“That you issue a public disclaimer wherein you must set the record straight as to the actual time of recording of the video, and that you posted the said video without our Client’s approval and/or consent;
“That you address a Letter of Apology to our Client which must also be made public on your social media platforms within 24 hours from the date of this letter:
“That you cease and desist from any further posting of videos and/or pictures of our Client on all social media platforms or blogs from now henceforth; and
“That you cause the sum of N50, 000, 000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) Only to be paid to our Client within 7 days from the date of this letter.
“Please note that you are to ensure compliance with demands 1-4 above within 24 hours from the date of this letter, while demand 5 is to be complied with within 7 days from the date of the letter.
“Be advised that in the event you fail to accede to any of our demands within the timeframe stipulated herein, we shall be left with no other option than to explore all legal means at our disposal to ensure your compliance.”
“Kindly bear in mind that, in the event of your default, we shall leave no stone unturned in ensuring that you get the due recompense for the damage your ill-timed and disingenuous post has caused our Client, which is not limited to: dragging you to a court of competent jurisdiction and claiming punitive and/or exemplary damages against you, reporting you to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, ensuring that you are prosecuted for cyberstalking and/or cyberbullying, amongst other legal remedies available to our Client.
“It is our hope that you will allow wise counsel prevail and you would not call us bluff on our demands herein,” the letter adds.
