The disappearance and subsequent reappearance of Oladipupo Siwajuola, a pre-degree student at Babcock University, sparked a controversy fueled by the student’s mother’s public accusations against the institution. The university, in a detailed statement, clarified its position, asserting that Siwajuola left the campus without authorization, violating established protocols. While the mother’s social media posts painted a picture of negligence on the university’s part, Babcock University maintained that it actively collaborated with law enforcement and various stakeholders to locate the missing student. The university emphasized that its priority was ensuring Siwajuola’s safe return and that it refrained from engaging in public disputes on social media while the search was ongoing. The core issue, according to the university, was the student’s unauthorized departure, a fact that remains central even after his reported return.
The timeline of events, as presented by Babcock University, reveals a series of concerning behaviors exhibited by Siwajuola leading up to his disappearance. His roommates had reported observing unusual activities, including the use of items they perceived as fetishistic. They communicated these concerns to Siwajuola’s mother via WhatsApp, detailing his alleged involvement in gambling, accumulating debts, and other acts of misconduct. Despite her awareness of these issues, and even receiving a report of a threat made by Siwajuola against a roommate who had informed her of his actions, she reportedly requested that the roommates not report him to the university authorities, thereby hindering the institution’s established reporting procedures.
The university’s statement further highlighted specific instances of Siwajuola’s concerning behavior, including selling his phone and providing conflicting accounts of its whereabouts. He subsequently borrowed a friend’s phone and shared his banking details to settle his debts. His mother, according to the statement, noticed unusual transactions in his bank account and withdrew the remaining funds. Communication between mother and son continued until April 30th, primarily through his laptop. It was only on May 2nd, after these events had transpired, that Siwajuola’s mother officially reported his disappearance to the university’s Student Development Office and Security department.
Babcock University’s account of the events emphasizes that Siwajuola’s mother was aware of his concerning behaviors and actively discouraged his roommates from reporting them to the university. This, the university argues, obstructed their ability to intervene earlier and potentially prevent his unauthorized departure. The institution underscored that it cooperated fully with the police investigation and other relevant authorities throughout the search. While reports suggest that Siwajuola returned to his mother’s care, the university stated that they had received no official confirmation from either the police or the student’s mother. Their primary concern, beyond the student’s safe return, is addressing the alleged misconduct and unauthorized exit from the campus.
The university’s statement further clarified the steps taken following the official report of Siwajuola’s disappearance. They interrogated the friend whose phone Siwajuola had borrowed and launched a full-scale investigation in collaboration with law enforcement. While acknowledging the reports of Siwajuola’s return, Babcock University stressed the need for official confirmation and reiterated that the student’s unauthorized exit remains a significant breach of university regulations. They also emphasized their commitment to due process, stating that Siwajuola will be given an opportunity to address the allegations of misconduct before the Student Disciplinary Committee. This process, they asserted, is standard procedure and ensures fairness in addressing student disciplinary matters.
The case of Oladipupo Siwajuola highlights the complexities of managing student conduct and the challenges institutions face in balancing student welfare with enforcing regulations. The differing narratives presented by the student’s mother and the university underscore the importance of thorough investigations and due process. Babcock University’s detailed statement aims to clarify its role in the incident, emphasizing its commitment to student safety and its adherence to established protocols in addressing student misconduct. The university’s insistence on Siwajuola appearing before the disciplinary committee, even after his return, reinforces their commitment to upholding their regulations and addressing the alleged misconduct that preceded his disappearance. The incident also underscores the potential pitfalls of relying solely on social media narratives in complex situations, highlighting the need for balanced and factual reporting.
