Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has expelled a student, Oladipupo Siwajuola, who was recently declared missing by his mother, over allegations of serious misconduct, including drug peddling, internet fraud involving fetish practices, and impersonation.
The university’s Director of Marketing and Communication, Joshua Suleiman, disclosed this in a detailed statement on Wednesday, revealing that Siwajuola had sneaked off campus without clearance and returned weeks later, only to confess to a series of offences during questioning by the school’s Department of Secret Service.
Siwajuola’s disappearance gained public attention after his mother, Fijabi Oyindamola Omotayo, raised the alarm on Facebook on May 3, accusing the university of negligence. The post sparked outrage online, with many demanding answers from the institution.
However, Suleiman stated that the student deliberately disguised himself in a hoodie to exit through the university’s Teaching Hospital gate without authorisation. Upon his return to campus on May 15, he allegedly confessed to using fetish materials in pursuit of quick wealth, participating in a “Yahoo Yahoo Plus” scheme, selling his phone without consent, drug peddling, and impersonating a fellow student to open a bank account.
“He purchased black soap for N100,000 from a traditional herbalist, contrary to his mother’s earlier claim that it was for a skin condition. He admitted it was intended for ritual purposes,” Suleiman said.
He also reportedly took a N500,000 loan from an online app to gamble, further compounding his misconduct.
Suleiman added that the mother’s claim that her son was found by secondary school friends was inaccurate. According to the university, the parent of a friend Siwajuola was staying with in Lagos discovered him and contacted his family after noticing the ongoing media uproar.
Following investigations, Babcock University found Siwajuola guilty of “unauthorised campus exit, use of fetish substances, drug peddling, impersonation, and dishonesty,” leading to his expulsion.
“While we recognise the emotional weight of this decision, our foremost responsibility remains the safety and moral integrity of all students entrusted to our care,” Suleiman stated.
Though the university had initially considered legal action against the mother for what it described as a “sensational and misleading” social media post, it has now decided against litigation, citing the “responsible conduct” of the student’s father.
“These claims were not only false but also misleading. However, because of the responsible conduct shown by the student’s father, the university will not pursue a libel case at this time,” Suleiman concluded.
