From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has suspended the Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim.
Governor Alia, who announced the suspension on Wednesday while addressing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Makurdi, said Mnyim’s suspension followed his involvement in a suit seeking to scrap the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, without due consultation with his administration, distancing his government from the decision.
The governor said he was shocked when it came to his knowledge that his attorney-general was part of those that took the two anti-graft agencies to court, when his administration is using the two agencies to recover stolen funds for the state.
He said his administration was not comfortable with the decision and was equally disturbed by his position when the state had been deprived of its resources, describing the position of the attorney-general as personal.
The governor insisted that Mnyim would remain suspended until he provides sufficient explanation on why he took the decision without due consultation.
He advised that any appointee of his administration sent to represent the state in any meeting must revert to the state before taking any sensitive decision on behalf of the state government, pointing out that his administration had set up a standard that all those working under him must follow.
