Benue Gov suspends Attorney General over EFCC lawsuit controversy

Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia has suspended the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, following his involvement in a lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The suspension was announced during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting in Makurdi on Wednesday.

Sixteen states, including Benue, have approached the Supreme Court in a suit seeking to challenge the legality of the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Governor Alia expressed his discontent with Mnyim’s decision to join this legal action without prior consultation, questioning why Benue would align with states opposing the very agencies aimed at aiding his administration in recovering funds allegedly misappropriated by the previous government.

Alia criticized Mnyim for operating independently and stated that the Attorney General would remain suspended until he offers satisfactory explanations regarding his actions.

“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 organization 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 prescription? 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,” he stated.

The governor advised anyone representing the state to revert to the government for guidance.

According to him, the government has standards it was working with, adding that no one was independent.

The governor stressed that it was highly unacceptable for the commissioner to have spoken on behalf of Benue regarding the proscription of the EFCC.

“As I speak here, the attorney general stands suspended until he provides a satisfactory explanation. The Benue position is very clear: if you do not adhere to the rules, you will face consequences.

“There are rules of conduct and ethics we must follow. I cannot have saboteurs within the system.

“I have dedicated my time to recovering the resources of the state that were lost. The only establishments that can help us with this are the EFCC or the ICPC. So why would we undermine their efforts?

“The commissioner has a lot of questions to answer, and he remains suspended until I receive all the explanations regarding his decisions for the state.

“We will refer this matter to the appropriate authorities,” he emphasised. (NAN)