Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi has officially denied reports alleging that N2 billion went missing from the institution following an ICT portal crash.

During a press briefing held on Monday in Makurdi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Simon Terver, dismissed the allegations as "baseless and misleading."

The university's response follows legal action initiated against Mr. Henry Ibya, the Benue State correspondent of Aljazirah Newspaper, who published a report claiming the institution had lost N2 billion due to a crashed ICT portal. The report also alleged that the university's ICT Director had been suspended pending investigations.

"No N2 billion is missing. The committee's work is strictly administrative, not investigative," Professor Terver emphasized during the briefing.

According to university officials, Ibya was detained at the Benue State Police Command on April 25, 2025, before being arraigned in court on charges of defamation, cyberstalking, and injurious falsehood. He was remanded at the Makurdi correctional centre for nearly a week before being granted bail. The case has been adjourned to July 2025.

Professor Terver also addressed ongoing challenges with student fee payments, acknowledging resistance from students which he attributed to economic hardship and cultural perceptions that equate fees with taxation.

"Many students are studying without paying fees," he revealed, noting that the administration has adopted a cautious approach to enforcing fee payments to prevent potential unrest on campus.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor clarified that while a committee is currently reviewing fee compliance among students, this process is entirely unrelated to any allegations of financial misconduct at the institution.

The university's ICT Director filed the legal complaint against the journalist, leading to the ongoing court case that has raised concerns about press freedom and journalistic responsibility in reporting on educational institutions.