Daud Olatunji
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has refuted sensational claims of students’ death due to poisoning, clarifying incident involving final-year student Oladokun Ayomide.
In response to recent media coverage alleging the death of students due to poisoning, FUNAAB issued a press release on Wednesday, aiming to correct misconceptions surrounding the arrest of Oladokun Ayomide.
Contrary to alarming narratives, the university asserts that the incident on November 9, 2023, was a result of unintentional intoxication caused by a cake purchased by Ayomide from an open store.
According to the statement by Olasunkanmi Olajide, Assistant Director of Media at the Directorate of Public Relations, Ayomide, unaware that the cake contained a high level of alcohol, had no malicious intent.
This was confirmed by a thorough medical examination at the institution’s Health Centre.
Importantly, the affected individuals were discharged from the hospital the day after the incident and even participated in their examinations on November 10, 2023.
The press release, titled “Response to Punch’s Report on Ogun Student’s Arrest for Alleged Poisoning,” explicitly exonerated the suspect.
The university emphasizes the significance of thorough investigative journalism to avoid misinformation, disinformation, and sensationalism.
It urges reporters to exercise due diligence and seek balance in their stories by reaching out to FUNAAB to obtain its perspective before publication.
“All charges against Ayomide, brought forth by the parents and the school of the affected ladies, have been dropped due to the lack of malicious intent,” the statement reads.
He said “We would like to clarify the facts surrounding this incident and stress the importance of thorough investigative journalism to avoid misinformation, disinformation, and sensationalism.
“The incident occurred on November 9, 2023, when Ayomide purchased a cake from an open store, unaware that it contained a high level of alcohol. This led to the unintentional intoxication of the consumers.
“Ayomide had no malicious intent, as confirmed by the medical examination at their institution’s Health Centre. The affected individuals were discharged from the hospital the following day and even participated in their examinations on November 10, 2023.
“It is crucial to emphasise that all charges against Ayomide, brought forth by the parents and the school of the affected ladies, have been dropped due to the lack of malicious intent.
“We urge reporters to exercise due diligence, and endeavour to balance their story by reaching out to FUNAAB to obtain our perspective on any story before publication.”
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