The 2007 Mass Communication Alumni of Cross River University of Technology, now known as University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), has refuted media reports linking the association to claims about the circumstances surrounding the death of its late president, Michael Obeten.
In a press release issued on April 8, the alumni body said it did not authorise any individual to speak on its behalf regarding the incident and urged the public to disregard statements attributed to it in circulating reports.
The statement, signed by the Vice President of the alumni association, Eke Ukpa, Secretary Olorunda Joy, and Public Relations Officer Odue Thomas, specifically denied granting permission to an individual identified as Lesoda-Ada to issue statements on behalf of the alumni.
According to the association, the report currently circulating in the media contains claims that have not been verified by the alumni body.
It noted that while some accounts suggested that a cannon may have been responsible for the incident leading to Obeten’s death, such assertions were based on information from external sources and had not been confirmed by the alumni.
The association stated that investigations were still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.
“The Alumni did not authorise any individual, including the person identified as Lesoda-Ada, to speak or issue statements on its behalf. As such, any claims or narratives attributed to the Alumni in the said report should be disregarded,” the statement said.
It added that drawing conclusions about the circumstances of the death at this stage would be premature and misleading to the public.
The alumni therefore called on members of the public and media practitioners to exercise restraint and professionalism by allowing due process to take its course.
Meanwhile, the association disclosed that following news of Obeten’s death, it had reached out to his father, who is reportedly in critical condition and currently in need of medical attention.
The alumni said it was mobilising support to ensure the bereaved family receives the assistance required during the difficult period.
The association further emphasised that it had formally disassociated itself from the report and any related publications until the facts surrounding the incident are fully established.
