Babcock University denies sexual misconduct allegation against VC candidate

The management of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, has dismissed as false a report alleging sexual infidelity against a Vice-Chancellor candidate, Afolarin Ojewole, a former university pastor and Associate Vice President for Spiritual Life.

In a statement signed on Monday by the institution’s Director of Marketing and Communication, Joshua Suleiman, the report was described as “fabricated, baseless, cheap blackmail, and a figment of imagination of the unconscionable writer.”

The publication alleged that the university was favouring Ojewole in the ongoing selection process to succeed outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ademola Tayo, whose tenure ends in November.

Babcock University insisted no allegation of sexual misconduct had ever been filed against Ojewole, nor was any disciplinary committee set up to investigate such claims. It clarified that Ojewole left the institution in 2018 on study leave with his family in the United States, not because of scandal.

According to the statement, the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor is handled by the University Governing Council Search Committee under strict spiritual, ethical, and procedural standards.

The institution condemned the report as an attempt to malign the university and its leadership transition process, warning perpetrators to desist or face legal action.

“The appointment of the President/Vice-Chancellor is neither political nor subject to lobbying, influence, or compromise,” the university stressed, adding that candidates are assessed strictly on moral uprightness, spiritual soundness, intellectual capacity, and service to the church and humanity.

Babcock University reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and credible succession process, urging candidates and their supporters to avoid propaganda, blackmail, or divisive tactics.