Benue Gov takes action against Attorney General for challenging legality of EFCC

• Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has suspended Attorney General Fidelis Mnyim for participating in a legal challenge EFCC and ICPC
• The suspension follows a lawsuit filed by 19 states, including Benue, challenging the legality of the establishment of the EFCC and the ICPC.
• Governor Alia emphasized that the suspension is to uphold the state’s commitment to combating corruption

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has taken decisive action by suspending the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim.

The state government took action following its alleged involvement in a legal challenge questioning the constitutionality of Nigeria’s anti-corruption bodies – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) –.

The suspension follows a lawsuit filed by 19 states, including Benue, challenging the establishment of the EFCC and ICPC.

Also read

Code of Conduct Office: Cheers as Tinubu swears in Bello as new chairman, details emerge

Mnyim was part of the legal team representing these states, a move Governor Alia said undermined the fight against corruption.

Statement by Governor Alia on the suspension

Through his chief press secretary, Governor Alia expressed his displeasure over Mnyim’s involvement in the lawsuit.

“This government will not tolerate corruption. Any action that attempts to weaken the institutions charged with fighting corruption will not be tolerated.

“The suspension of the Attorney General is necessary to uphold the integrity of our state and ensure that we join the national effort to combat corruption.”

The Supreme Court reserves its judgment on the legality of the EFCC

On Tuesday, October 21, the Supreme Court reserved judgment on the lawsuit filed by 19 states challenging the legality of the EFCC and ICPC.

Also read

NBC Kicks Off EFCC’s Invasion of Enugu Radio Station, Says “This Action is Deplorable”

The states, including Benue, argued that the UN Convention against Corruption, which formed the basis of the EFCC Establishment Act in 2004, had not been properly domesticated under Article 12 of the Nigerian Constitution.

The states argue that for any international convention to be incorporated into Nigerian law, it must follow the specific legislative process set out in Section 12, which they say has been circumvented.

Source: Legit.ng