University Says Student Left Campus Without Clearance, Describes Claims as Defamatory
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has refuted recent claims by a parent, Mrs. Fijabi Omotayo, alleging that her son, Oladipupo Siwajuola, went missing on the school campus. In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, the institution condemned the accusations as “sensational and misleading,” asserting that they have caused unjust reputational damage.
The university’s Director of Communication and Public Relations, Dr. Joshua Suleiman, said in the statement that the student, a participant in the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) programme, exited the school premises unlawfully, without observing the institution’s official clearance procedures.
“Contrary to public assertions, the student in question left the university campus unlawfully, without following established protocols or obtaining proper clearance from the university authorities,” the statement read.
According to Babcock, unconfirmed reports later placed Oladipupo in Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State—an area where he had previously attended secondary school. The school disclosed that the student’s roommates had earlier expressed concerns about his “suspicious behaviour,” including the use of traditional bathing items such as a local sponge and black soap, which they claimed created an unpleasant environment.
His mother reportedly told the university that she had given him herbal mixtures, including lemon, turmeric, and neem leaves, to treat a skin condition. However, the school noted that the explanation failed to allay the concerns of the student’s roommates, who were mindful of the institution’s strict policy against fetish or suspicious materials.
Babcock also alleged that Mrs. Fijabi had attempted to prevent the student’s roommates from alerting school authorities about his absence, citing WhatsApp chats as evidence of the alleged interference. Routine room inspections eventually flagged his disappearance.
The matter has since been referred to the police, while the university said it is awaiting a full report. It added that Oladipupo and any other students involved in the incident would appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee for a fair hearing.
“We reserve the right to seek redress under the law for any reputational damage caused by malicious and unfounded statements made against the university,” the statement added. “We may not hesitate to do so in due course.”
The university urged parents to cooperate with institutional protocols rather than resorting to what it described as “public misrepresentation.”
The controversy began after Mrs. Fijabi posted a tearful live video on Facebook on Saturday, April 27, appealing to the public for help in finding her son, whom she claimed had been missing since she dropped him off at the university. In the viral video, she said she had been unable to sleep for days and accused the school of shielding two students last seen with her son.
However, in a follow-up post on Sunday, she confirmed that her son had been found, though she did not reveal details about how or where he was located.
The situation continues to generate public interest, with the university maintaining its stance that institutional procedures must be respected and that any attempt to malign its image will be met with legal consequences.
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