By Victor Itodo Abuh
THE MANAGEMENT of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, has denied allegations of financial mismanagement and fraud involving its Bursar and ICT Director, labelling the news report as false, defamatory and misleading.
In a press release on Thursday, signed by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Barnabas Terfa Hemba, BSU refuted the news report by an online newspaper (not National Record) which alleged that the institution had suspended its Bursar, Dr Amos Egwurube Otse, and ICT Director, Mr. Terna Abuu, over a purported N2 billion fraud.
The university stated instead that the officials were asked to step aside solely for a certification exercise initiated by BUSU’s Governing Council, and not due to any fraud allegations.
The Registrar also dismissed claims that Aondona Tor-Anyiin is the university’s Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, stating that the publication contained factual inaccuracies.
Furthermore, BSU condemned the allegations of a conspiracy to crash the university’s portal, calling them “unfounded, scandalous and malicious.”
The institution emphasised its commitment to transparency and due process, warning against sensationalism and misinformation.
BSU therefore gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the reporter, demanding a written retraction of the report, insisting that the retraction be published in the online medium and two national dailies; The Nation and ThisDay newspapers.
The press release also stated that failure to comply with the demand within the stipulated time frame could prompt the university to take legal action against the journalist and the publication.
As of the time of this report, the online medium and its reporter, were yet respond to BSU’s demands.
