Ex-Queen Naomi Demands N50m Over Viral Video Misrepresentation
The estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, has demanded a public apology and retraction from content creator and gospel musician Olufunke Ayokunle for sharing an old video that misrepresented her.
According to Naomi, the video, originally recorded in 2022, was falsely presented as recent, sparking backlash just days after her release on bail following the December 18, 2024, stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State, which 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, “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.”
Naomi clarified 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.
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The lawyers stated: “Our attention has been drawn to a viral video posted by you on your Facebook page with Facebook Handle: Olufunke Ayokunle a 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 letter referenced a comment made by APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe, “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 lawyers continued, “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.”
The lawyers added, “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.
“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 plight 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.”
The lawyers demanded, “In view of the foregoing, we have the firm instructions of our Client to demand the following from you:
1. That you retract the said video within 24 hours from the date of this letter.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. That you cause the sum of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) only to be paid to our Client within seven days from the date of this letter.”
They added, “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 seven 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.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
