… threatens to sue parent for defamation
The management of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday, countered claims by a parent, Mrs Fijabi Omotayo, that her son, Oladipupo Siwajuola, went missing on the school’s campus.
The university’s Director of Communication and Public Relations, Dr Joshua Suleiman, in a statement, condemned as “sensational and misleading” social media allegations made by Mrs Fijabi, saying the claims had unjustly tarnished the reputation of the university.
The university said it was considering filing a defamation lawsuit against the parent, whose online outbursts had allegedly painted the university and its students in a false and negative light.
The university explained that Oladipupo, a student of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board programme, reportedly left the school premises without following proper exit procedures.
The statement partly read, “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 university said that unconfirmed reports indicated that the student was later found in Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, near Lagos, where he had previously attended secondary school.
The statement added that the student’s roommates had earlier raised concerns about his “suspicious behaviour” and unusual habits, including the use of “local sponge and black soap,” which they claimed created an unpleasant atmosphere in the room.
The school said the student’s mother explained that she gave him those items to treat skin conditions, including a herbal mixture made with lemon, turmeric, and neem leaves.
“Her explanation did not sit well with the roommates who were aware of the university’s strict policy against fetish or suspicious items on campus,” the statement added.
*We believe this may have been a cover for her son’s misdemeanours.”
Babcock University also accused Mrs Fijabi of obstructing routine monitoring processes by allegedly pleading with her son’s roommates not to report his absence to school authorities.
“WhatsApp chat evidence is available to support this,” the university said, noting that its routine room inspections had flagged the student’s absence.
Babcock said it had referred the matter to the police and was awaiting a full report, adding that Siwajuola and any other students involved would face the Student Disciplinary Committee to be given the opportunity of a fair hearing.
Reaffirming its right to seek legal redress, the university warned that any further attempt to defame it would be met with appropriate action.
“We reserve the right to seek redress under the law for any reputational damage caused by malicious and unfounded statements made against the university. In this matter, we may not hesitate to do so in due course,” the statement read.
“We remain committed to nurturing responsible citizens and upholding our legacy as a citadel of excellence and character. We encourage parents and guardians to partner with us responsibly, respecting institutional processes rather than resorting to public misrepresentation.”
Mrs Fijabi had gone live on Facebook on Saturday in tears, appealing to the public to help locate her son, who she claimed had been missing since she dropped him off at school on Sunday, April 27.
In the viral video, she said, “I was in the school yesterday and they said that’s how students behave that they might be hiding on campus. But I’ve not been able to sleep for the past three days. Babcock University should please help me find my son.”
In an earlier post, she accused the university of shielding the last two students seen with her son.
“My son is not a piece of furniture. It’s been over 72 hours since I last spoke with him,” she wrote.
However, in a follow-up post on Sunday afternoon, Mrs Fijabi confirmed that her son had been found but did not disclose further details about how he was located.
