Gov Alia suspends Attorney-General over anti-EFCC suit

The governor of Benue State Reverend father Hyacinth Alia, has suspended the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Bemsen Mnyim.

He was abruptly suspended for joining the suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Recall that some states had dragged the Federal Government to court over the legality of the two anti-graft agencies.

A statement by the spokesman of the governor, Tersoo Kula, disclosed that Alia announced the suspension of Mnyim after the Benue State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

The governor’s image maker said Alia gave the directive at the Government House during a press briefing.

He stated that the suspension was necessitated by Mnyim’s ultra vires decision to join the state in a suit challenging the legality of the EFCC and ICPC.

He said, “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 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.”

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