Benue Governor suspends Attorney General for challenging EFCC?s legality

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has suspended the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Fidelis Mnyim, for his involvement in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The decision comes after Mnyim joined other states in contesting the legality of the establishment of the anti-corruption agencies. The suit, filed by 19 states, questions the constitutionality of the laws that formed the EFCC.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case but reserved its judgment. The states challenging the EFCC law include Kogi, Katsina, Sokoto, Enugu, Oyo, Benue, and others. The plaintiffs claim that the EFCC Establishment Act, passed in 2004, did not comply with Section 12 of the Nigerian Constitution, which requires proper legislative procedures to domesticate international conventions, such as the UN Convention against Corruption.

While some states, including Imo and Bauchi, joined the case as co-plaintiffs, others, like Anambra, Ebonyi, and Adamawa, withdrew from the lawsuit. Osun State also sought the consolidation of the suit.

The court is expected to announce a date for its ruling to all parties involved.