Alia suspends attorney general over EFCC, ICPC legality suit

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By: Admin

The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has suspended the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyin.

Mynin was suspended for joining the suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), without consulting the Governor.

His suspension was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Press Secretary to the governor, Tersoo Kula.

The statement reads: “His Excellency today suspended the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order for joining the suit challenging the legality of EFCC without informing the governor.”

The suspension of Barr. Mnyin was, according to the statement, necessitated by his ultra vires decision to join the state in a suit challenging the legality of anti-graft agencies, namely the EFCC and ICPC.

Gov Alia, in the statement, avowed: “No appointee is permitted to act unilaterally. No matter how pressing or urgent the issue is, one must resort to due consultations with me or appropriately brief me and seek my permission before acting, especially in a sensitive matter such as this.

“My administration is holding accountable those who embezzled money and drained our state dry. The EFCC and ICPC are assisting us in this effort. How can I now turn around and begin to challenge these watchdogs?

“I gave no permission for him to enter an appearance for the state. Because he acted on his own, I hereby suspend him indefinitely pending a satisfactory explanation of his actions.”

The Apex Court had on Tuesday reserved judgment on the suit filed by 19 states of the federation.

However, three out of the nineteen states challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were reported to have withdrawn from the suit.

The three states, according to the report are; Anambra (9th plaintiff), Adamawa (16th plaintiff), and Ebonyi (18th plaintiff) separately submitted applications for withdrawal before the Court.

The Attorney General of Anambra State, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, informed the court that she wishes to withdraw from the suit, having filed a motion for withdrawal on October 20.

Similarly, the Attorney General of Ebonyi State, Ikenna Nwidagu, stated, “My Lord, I filed a notice of withdrawal dated and filed on October 21. My Lords, we pray this honourable Court strikes out the name of the 18th plaintiff.”

 

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