The Benue State government has formally requested to withdraw from a lawsuit asking the Supreme Court to declare the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an illegal organization.
Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia announced on Wednesday that he had directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim, to proceed on indefinite suspension for unilaterally joining Benue State as a plaintiff in the case, originally initiated by Kogi State.
Rev. Fr. Alia expressed his discontent with the decision, noting that both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) are anti-graft agencies currently aiding the state in recovering funds that were embezzled from its treasury.
“No appointee is permitted to act unilaterally. Regardless of how pressing the issue may be, due consultations with me must take place, especially in sensitive matters like this,” he stated. “My administration is focused on holding accountable those who have embezzled money and drained our state. How can I now challenge these watchdogs? I did not give permission for him to enter an appearance for the state, and due to his unilateral actions, I hereby suspend him indefinitely pending a satisfactory explanation.”
It has been reported that the suspended Attorney General had previously applied for Benue State to be removed from the list of 18 other states involved in the lawsuit. His notice of discontinuance, dated October 23, indicated that he was withdrawing Benue State as the eighth plaintiff against the Attorney General of the Federation.
Additionally, during a Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday, three other states—Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi—also announced their decisions to withdraw from the suit.