The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has lifted the suspension on the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim.
This was made known by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula Monday at Government House, Makurdi while briefing newsmen shortly after the State Executive Council Meeting.
Following his suspension, the Attorney General wrote and delisted Benue from amongst the states that are contesting the constitutionality of the laws that established the EFCC.
Recall that the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had suspended indefinitely, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim
The Governor had, last month, announced the suspension of the Commissioner in Makurdi during a press conference shortly after the State Executive Council Meeting.
He stated that the suspension was necessitated by Barr. Mnyim’s decision to join the state in a suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
According to the Governor, “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 these efforts. How can I then turn around and begin to challenge these agencies that are helping to do some recoveries of what is stollen from the state?”That is not the position of Benue State.
I gave no permission for him to make an appearance for the state in that regard, he acted on his own and we strongly feel that if we just let that go, lessons will not be learnt here.”
You are not Independent once you are working within the coffers of the government. So, any one representing or holding forth for the state must always consult the state in order to know it’s position concerning any issue before taking any final decision.
“You can not act like a lone wolf out there, making personal decisions on behalf of the state. It is highly unacceptable and so we strongly feel that it is inappropriate for my Commissioner of Justice to speak on behalf of the Benue State Government to have the EFCC and ICPC proscribed.”
Therefore, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice has to pay quite dearly for this.”He is hereby indefinitely suspended until he explains fully and we as a body, are satisfied with his explanations of his action.”
