Gov Hyacinth suspends Benue Attorney General for challenging EFCC’s legality

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has officially suspended Fidelis Mnyim, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice and Public Order.

The justice commissioner was suspended for his involvement in joining other states in challenging the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

This action has sparked debate regarding the role of these anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria and the implications of the commissioner’s stance on the state’s legal framework.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court reserved judgment in a suit filed by 19 states challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the EFCC.

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 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.

The court is to communicate a date for judgment to all parties.