JOSTUM Lecturer Denies Role in Kidnap Allegations, Claims Frame-up by Colleagues
Dr. Ichor Smart, a lecturer at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture Makurdi (JOSTUM), Benue State, has vehemently denied accusations that he masterminded the abduction of Mrs. Susan Anyagh, the wife of the institution’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chairman.
Dr. Ichor, who was released after spending over a month in police custody, issued a statement on Friday asserting that the allegations leading to his detention were fabricated. He claimed that Mrs. Anyagh’s accusations were a deliberate attempt to silence him after he publicly called on her husband to account for funds meant for the families of deceased JOSTUM lecturers.
Recounting events, Ichor revealed that he had posted a series of financial documents about the welfare account of ASUU JOSTUM on a university WhatsApp group, exposing what he described as a pattern of financial mismanagement. This, according to him, led to a confrontation in a December 5, 2024, meeting where Dr. Anyagh vowed to end ASUU discussions on the university platform.
Just days later, on December 7, 2024, Mrs. Anyagh was abducted, and she later alleged that Ichor was present at the scene, even claiming that he called the kidnappers and told them to kill her. Dr. Ichor strongly rejected these claims, describing them as a “wild fabrication.” He emphasized that he was in his hometown, Katsina-Ala, attending a burial ceremony with several prominent individuals on the same day of the alleged incident.
He further clarified that he could not have been in two places at once, especially given the distance between Makurdi and his village. In his statement, Ichor refuted claims that he made phone calls to the kidnappers, citing police findings that his phones were traced, and no calls were made or received on December 7, 2024.
Additionally, Dr. Ichor addressed reports of his police mistreatment during his detention, revealing that he was physically assaulted, resulting in a fractured foot and dislocated toes. He demanded that the police release the full investigation report to the public.
Dr. Ichor concluded his statement by reiterating that the allegations against him were baseless and a part of a broader attempt to tarnish his reputation, calling on the public to disregard the fabricated claims.
