EFCC: Benue withdraws from suit seeking to declare commission illegal

EFCC: Benue withdraws from suit seeking to declare commission illegal

The Benue State government has formally applied to withdraw from a lawsuit that seeks to have the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared an illegal organization.

The lawsuit, originally initiated by Kogi State, questions the legality of the EFCC’s operations.

Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday, directed the indefinite suspension of the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim, for unilaterally including Benue State as a plaintiff in the suit without proper consultation.

Expressing his dissatisfaction, Governor Alia emphasized that both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), which could be affected by the case, are vital anti-corruption agencies working to help Benue State recover stolen funds.

“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.

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“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 governor added in a statement that was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the suspended AG had before his sanction came to light, quickly applied for Benue state to be removed from the list of 18 other states that were cited as plaintiffs in the matter.

His notice of discontinuance, dated October 23, read: “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 defendant.”

It will be recalled that three other states- Anambra, Adamawa and Ebonyi- had when the suit came up before the Supreme Court on Wednesday for hearing, also announced their decisions to withdraw from the matter.

The Attorney General of Anambra state, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, told the apex court that the state was no longer willing to be a part of the case which was originally instituted by Kogi state.

She disclosed that the state’s withdrawal notice was dated October 20.

 

EFCC: Benue withdraws from suit seeking to declare commission illegal