Gov Alia suspends justice commissioner over suit against EFCC, ICPC

Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has suspended the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr Fidelis Mnyim, over his role in the suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Alia announced the suspension when he addressed newsmen after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on Wednesday in Makurdi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 16 states in a suit CTN23102024, asked the Supreme Court through their attorneys general, to proscribe the EFCC.

They also challenged the establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The governor stated that the commissioner took the action without consulting him.

He wondered why Benue would join the league of states challenging the status of the EFCC and ICPC, which were working to help his administration recover funds diverted by past administrations.

Alia accused the suspended commissioner of working alone as he did not receive government clearance to join the state in the suit.

The governor said the AG remained suspended until he provided all the necessary explanations before he could be reinstated.

“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)