Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has suspended the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, over his role in the suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Alia announced the suspension while addressing newsmen after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
About 19 states of the federation in a suit CTN23102024 approached the Supreme Court through their attorneys general, praying the court to proscribe the EFCC.
They also challenged the establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The governor stated that Mnyim was suspended for joining the state among other states challenging the status of EFCC and ICPC without consulting him.
He questioned why Benue State would join other states challenging the status of the EFCC and ICPC, which he said were working to help his administration recover funds allegedly diverted by the past administration.
S’Court reserves judgement in 19 states’ suit challenging EFCC legitimacy
Alia accused the suspended commissioner of working autonomously without first clearing from his administration if the suit was in line with his administration’s agenda.
The governor said the attorney general remained suspended until he provided all the necessary explanations before his reinstatement.
Alia said: “I feel quite disturbed and uncomfortable with the position of my attorney general, who mentioned taking the EFCC to court, alongside other states, through their attorneys general.
“Benue has been deprived of its financial resources by past governments, and we are only trying to recover what we can to develop the state.
“So why would my administration suddenly decide to take action against the EFCC, an organisation that is actually helping us recover stolen funds?
“We are looking for money to develop the state, so why would we go back and say we are taking this agency to court for proscription? That is not the position of Benue.
“I strongly believe that if we let this go, we will not be blessed. Therefore, the commissioner must be held accountable for this decision.”
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