Benue State Government has withdrawn from suit challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Supreme Court.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Governor of the state, Hyacinth Alia also suspended indefinitely its Attorney General, Fidelis Mnyim.
Withdrawal of the lawsuit was contained in an application dated October 23, released to the press on Friday in Makurdi.
The application was signed by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order before he was suspended.
It reads, “Take notice that the Attorney General of Benue State, who is the 8th plaintiff, hereby discontinues this suit against the Attorney General of the Federation.”
The state Governor noted that Mnyim was suspended for joining the state in the suit without his consent, adding that no appointee has the right to act unilaterally without his consent.
He said, “The suspension was necessitated by Mnyim’s ultra vires decision to join the state in a suit challenging the legality of anti-graft agencies, namely the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.”
“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 did not permit 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.”
