BREAKING: Benue Governor Suspends Attorney General Amid EFCC Legality Dispute

BENUE, NIGERIA NEWS 247 – Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has suspended the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mynin, following his involvement in a lawsuit questioning the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) without the governor’s prior knowledge.

The suspension comes in the wake of a Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, where judgment was reserved on a suit filed by 19 states of the federation challenging the constitutionality of the laws that established the EFCC.

Notably, three states—Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi—have since withdrawn from the suit. Anambra’s Attorney General, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, formally requested to withdraw on October 20, while Ebonyi’s Attorney General, Ikenna Nwidagu, submitted a similar request on October 21.

Governor Alia expressed surprise and disapproval that the Attorney General participated in the legal challenge against the anti-corruption agency without informing him. In response to this breach of protocol, the governor decided to suspend Mynin from his position.

Kula Tersoo, the governor’s spokesperson, confirmed the suspension, stating, “It’s true, His Excellency today suspended the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order for joining the suit challenging the legality of EFCC without informing the governor.”

This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the governance and oversight of anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.