By Apata Oyeniran

Copyright independent

… Threatens Legal Action Against Perpetrators

The Management of Babcock University, ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has dismissed as untrue and false a report published by an online medium on September 12, 2025 alleging that one of the aspiring candidates for the office of President/Vice-chancellor was involved in sexual misconduct.

The publication alleged that one of the candidates aspiring to the office of President/Vice-Chancellor of the University is being resisted by an alleged church advocacy group, reported to be known as The Apostles Seventh-Day Adventist advocacy group on account of purported sexual infidelity during his service prior to his leave of absence.

In a statement on Monday, September 15, 2025, the university condemned the publication in its entirety as baseless, fabricated, mischievous and malicious.

“We state the following emphatically and without equivocation that neither the University nor its Proprietors are aware or know any Church advocacy group within the Seventh-day Adventist Church (Owner of the University) called “ The Apostles Seventh-Day Adventist advocacy group” or it’s so called coordinator, by name, Elder Samson Fasasi.

“Professor Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, who, until his leave of absence in 2018 was the University Pastor/Associate Vice President for Spiritual Life, has never been involved, accused, dismissed, or sanctioned on grounds of sexual infidelity with any student or any other individual whatsoever or was ever involved in or connected with any misconduct by whatever name it is called.

“This allegation, therefore, is a product of reckless imagination and a deliberate attempt to malign the character of the Church, the University, and its leadership process,” the university stated.

The university added, “The duly constituted University Governing Council 2025 Search Committee for the appointment of the President/Vice-Chancellor operates under the highest spiritual, ethical, and procedural standards.

“The Committee is guided strictly by the time-tested policies and guidelines of the global organization of over one and half centuries in existence – Seventh-day Adventist Church – that owns and operatesanoanother 118 tertiary institutions in all the continents of the world apart from Babcock University.”

According to the university, the appointment of the President/Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University is neither political, nor subject to lobbying, influence, or compromise. It is not an election.

“It is utter falsehood and sheer mischief for anyone to insinuate that a single individual—no matter his/her position can unilaterally alter or tamper with the established policies of Babcock University and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“The claim that the current Vice-Chancellor alone manipulated University policy to pave the way for a particular contestant is nothing but a figment of the imagination of the perpetrators of this malicious lie.

“The publication is not only roguish but also a calculated attempt to undermine the integrity of the University, sow seeds of discord among the faithful, and cast aspersions on a process that has remained transparent, fair, and beyond reproach.”

The management of the university warned, “Those behind this defamatory act are hereby sternly warned to desist from such destructive behaviour forthwith. Babcock University reserves the right to seek redress under the law for any reputational damage caused by malicious and unfounded statements made against the University and or any of its personnel.

“Should this reckless conduct persist, the University will have no hesitation in pursuing appropriate legal redress to protect its name, the Church, and the individuals so maliciously targeted.

“We also call on aperspersons, including the candidates vying for the office of the President/Vice-Chancellor and their supporters to refrain from descending into such condescending and condemnable tactics or antics in matters relating to Babcock University. The sacred process of leadership transition in Babcock University must never be tainted by falsehood, propaganda, or blackmail,” the statement read.

It restated that Babcock University remains committed to its mission of building servant leaders for Nigeria, Africa, and the world, the management reaffirmed to all stakeholders, students, staff, alumni, parents, and the general public that the ongoing process of appointing the next President/Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University remains transparent, just, fair, and guided solely by merit and service.

“The University’s legacy of moral integrity, spiritual depth, and academic excellence will never be compromised.”