Babcock University has expelled a student, Oladipupo Siwajuola, after he confessed to multiple serious offences including drug peddling, impersonation, and involvement in ritual practices associated with online fraud schemes.

The expulsion follows weeks of public controversy after Siwajuola’s mother, Oyindamola Omotayo, declared him missing in a widely shared Facebook post. She accused the Ogun State-based private institution of negligence, prompting the university to clarify that the student had left campus without authorisation.

In a statement issued Wednesday by the university’s Director of Marketing and Communication, Joshua Suleiman, the school revealed that Siwajuola had disguised himself in a hoodie and exited through the university’s teaching hospital gate on May 3.

He returned to campus on May 15 and was subsequently questioned by the university’s Department of Secret Service, where he reportedly confessed to several infractions.

“Among other offences, he admitted to purchasing black soap from a traditional herbalist for N100,000, intended for use in a ‘Yahoo Yahoo Plus’ scheme,” Suleiman said, referring to internet fraud involving fetish rituals. Siwajuola also confessed to drug peddling, impersonating a fellow student to open a bank account, and selling his phone under false pretences.

The university, which is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, said it found Siwajuola guilty of breaching its moral and disciplinary codes.

“His actions endangered the safety and values of the student community,” the university said, adding that expulsion was in line with global best practices.

Babcock also addressed the earlier social media accusations, describing the mother’s claims as sensational and misleading.

However, it opted not to pursue legal action against her out of respect for the student’s father, whom it praised for his responsible conduct.

“Because of the responsible conduct shown by the student’s father, the university will not pursue a libel case at this time,” the university said.