The authorities of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), have refuted a media report that a student of the institution, Oladokun Ayomide, allegedly poisoned his girlfriend and her friend in the Surulere Community, Camp, Abeokuta..
Some newspapers (ValidViewNetwork excluded) had carried the story that the final year student served his girlfriend, Ugbokwe Mmasichukwu and her friend, Odumosu Semilore, both students of Federal College of Education, (FCE), Osiele, Abeokuta with a brownie cakes.
Following the incident on November 9, 2023, the Chief Security Officer of the College, Olusola Ajibola was said to have led security men to arrest the suspect.
But in a release dated November 15, 2023 and signed by the Assistant Director, Media, Directorate of Public Relations, FUNNAB, Olasunkanmi Olajide, the University said Ayomide had no intention of harming the girls as erroneously stated in the reports.
Giving a clearer picture of what happened, the statement pointed out that Ayomide brought the cake from an open store, unaware that it contained a high level of alcohol which led to the unintentional intoxication of the girlfriend and her friend.
The statement further clarified that the affected individuals were rushed to the College health centre and were discharged the following day and went on to participate in their examinations on November 10, 2023.
The statement added 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.
The University however enjoined journalists to be more more thorough in their investigation to avoid misinformation, disinformation and sensationalism.
Read the press release below….
Response to Punch’s Report on Ogun Student’s Arrest for Alleged Poisoning
The authorities of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), would like to respond to the recent article by Uthman Salami in Punch of November 15, 2023, concerning the arrest of Oladokun Ayomide, a final-year student of FUNAAB for allegedly poisoning his girlfriend and another lady.
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 by reaching out to FUNAAB to obtain our perspective on any story before publication.
Thank you for your understanding.
Olasunkanmi Olajide
Assistant Director, Media
Directorate of Public Relations
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
November 15, 2023
