Benue withdraws from suit challenging EFCC’s legal existence
The Benue government has withdrawn from the suit, challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established the EFCC, which is before the Supreme Court.
The withdrawal was stated in an application seen on Friday.
The application was dated October 23 and signed by Fidelis Mnyim for the Benue’s attorney general.
The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the suit initially instituted by 19 states.
“Take notice that the attorney general of Benue State, who is the eighth plaintiff, hereby discontinues this suit against the attorney general of the federation, the defendant,” it said.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia suspended the attorney general indefinitely on Wednesday for joining Benue in the suit without his consent.
“The suspension was necessitated by Mnyim’s ultra vires decision to join the state in a suit challenging the legality of anti-graft agencies, namely the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.
“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,” the governor explained.
Mr Alia added, “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 did not permit 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.”
(NAN)
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