Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has suspended the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, following his involvement in a legal challenge against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The suspension comes in light of a Supreme Court case involving 19 states contesting the constitutionality of the EFCC’s establishment. The court reserved judgment on the matter this past Tuesday.
Mnyim’s suspension stems from his decision to join the suit without notifying Governor Alia. According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kula Tersoo, “It’s true, His Excellency today suspended the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order for joining the suit challenging the legality of EFCC without informing the governor.”
The ongoing lawsuit involves 19 states, including Benue, Kogi, Kebbi, Katsina, and Sokoto, arguing that the EFCC was established in violation of Section 12 of the Nigerian Constitution, which pertains to the enactment of international treaties into national law.
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The states contend that the provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption, which inspired the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004, were not properly followed during its enactment.
While some states, including Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi, have opted to withdraw from the suit, others like Osun State are seeking to consolidate their claims. The court is yet to communicate a date for its judgment.
Governor Alia expressed his surprise at the Attorney General’s actions, stating that his participation in the lawsuit was not aligned with the state’s stance on the matter.
The implications of this suspension are significant, highlighting the tensions surrounding the role of the EFCC and the legal authority of state governments in Nigeria.
