Babcock University has dismissed as “baseless and malicious” an online report alleging that a candidate in its ongoing search for a new president/vice-chancellor is facing opposition over claims of sexual misconduct.
In a statement on Monday signed by Joshua Suleiman, Director of Marketing and Communications, the Seventh-day Adventist–owned institution said the September 12 article published by The People’s Gazette falsely claimed that a church advocacy group, identified as “The Apostles Seventh-Day Adventist advocacy group,” was resisting one of the contenders for the post.
“The University is not aware of any such group or individual named Elder Samson Fasasi. We consider these names fictitious,” the statement read.
Babcock also defended Professor (Pastor) Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, a former associate vice-president for spiritual life, stressing that he has “never been involved, accused, dismissed, or sanctioned on grounds of sexual infidelity with any student or any other individual.” The university said Ojewole’s 2018 leave of absence was for family reasons and was processed in line with policy.
The administration described the vice-chancellor appointment process as “a sacred and spiritual exercise grounded in merit, excellence and prayerful consideration,” adding that it is not political and cannot be influenced or manipulated by any single individual.
Babcock further rejected suggestions that its outgoing vice-chancellor altered university by-laws to favour any candidate, noting that amendments follow a multi-layered approval system involving the governing council and board of trustees.
Calling the report “a calculated attempt to undermine the integrity of the University,” Babcock warned it may seek legal redress for reputational damage and urged all candidates and supporters to avoid “falsehood, propaganda, or blackmail.”
The university reaffirmed that the process to appoint its next president/vice-chancellor “remains transparent, just, fair, and guided solely by merit and service.”
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