Benue Gov Suspends Attorney General For Challenging EFCC’s Legality

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, suspended the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mynin.

The commissioner was suspended for joining the suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) without informing his principal.

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

However, three out of the 19 states challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established the EFCC were reported to have withdrawn from the suit.

While two states – Imo and Bauchi – joined the suit as co-plaintiffs, Osun State sought a consolidation of the suit, while three states – Anambra, Ebonyi and Adamawa – withdrew their suits.

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.”

The 19 states still in the suit are Kogi, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Oyo, Benue, Plateau, Cross River, Ondo, Niger, Edo, Bauchi, Imo, Osun, Nasarawa, Ogun, and Taraba.

The states argued that it was the UN Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting this law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the Nigerian constitution was not followed.

They argued that in bringing a convention into the Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with.

However, Alia, who was taken aback that the state joined other states to challenge the legality of the anti-corruption agency, was said to have ordered the suspension of the attorney general.

Confirming the suspension, the governor’s spokesperson, Kula Tersoo, said, “It’s true, 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.”