Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, has refuted reports identifying a young man, Audi Emmanuel, who was recently found dead in Emure-Ile, as a student of the institution.
The management of the polytechnic clarified that the deceased was not a registered student of the school, contrary to claims circulating on social media and some online platforms following the incident.
In a statement issued by the institution’s spokesperson, Mr. Olumide Olugosi, the school stated that a thorough verification of records across departments showed that no active student bearing the name Audi Emmanuel exists in the institution.
The statement specifically noted that there is no record of the deceased in the Department of Computer Engineering Technology or any other academic department within the polytechnic.
According to the institution, available records only revealed that an individual with a similar name had previously been offered admission into the school to study Computer Science during the 2024/2025 academic session.
However, the management explained that the individual did not complete the admission process or continue with the programme, adding that he failed to participate in institutional examinations and was therefore not recognised as a bona fide student.
The polytechnic described the reports linking the deceased to the institution as misleading and inaccurate, warning that the spread of unverified information could negatively affect the institution’s reputation.
Management further urged members of the public and media organisations to verify sensitive information before publication, especially in cases involving loss of life and public institutions.
While expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, the institution appealed for responsible reporting and caution in handling information surrounding the incident.
The school maintained that protecting the integrity of factual reporting remains important in preventing misinformation and unnecessary panic within academic communities.
The clarification comes amid increasing concerns over the rapid spread of unverified reports on social media platforms, particularly in incidents involving students and tertiary institutions across the country.
