‘It’s heartwarming’ — group lauds Alia for suspending commissioner over suit challenging legality of EFCC

By Idris Temidayo

The Vanguard for Credible Representation (VCR), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has commended Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue, for distancing the state government from the suit filed by the Kogi and 14 other states against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Times of Abuja reports that Kogi state government and 14 other states filed a suit at the supreme court to challenge the legality of the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other federal agencies.

However, when the matter came for hearing on Tuesday, three states: Anambra, Adamawa and Ebonyi states withdrew from the “controversial suit”.

On Wednesday, the Benue governor suspended Bemsen Mnyim, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, for acting “unilaterally” in joining the suit “without the approval of his principal.”

The latest development came on the heels of the declaration on Tuesday by Dauda Lawal, the governor of Zamfara, that the state was neither aware nor part of the suit challenging the legality of EFCC.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Onche Ugbabe, VCR’s head of mission, the group said it was “heartwarming that some state governors were dissociating themselves from the suit and lending their support to the fight against corruption”.

“It is heartwarming that governors Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal have publicly dissociated themselves from the suspicious move orchestrated by some state governments,” the statement reads.

“We also commend the governments of Anambra, Adamawa and Ebonyi states for heeding the voice of reason and withdrawing from the suit.”

The group hailed lawyers like Femi Falana and Kayode Oladele, who have faulted the suit and its backers.

“It is highly gratifying that erudite lawyers like Mr. Femi Falana SAN and Hon. Kayode Oladele have publicly condemned the unpopular move, citing a plethora of judicial decisions of the Supreme Court on the legality of the anti-corruption agencies,” Ugbade said.

“It is in the light of this that all well-meaning individuals and institutions should lend their support to the war against corruption and not seek to thwart it by any scheme or schism,” the group said.

The renewed onslaught against the EFCC is not unconnected with its recent moves to investigate and prosecute some politically exposed persons like Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi, and others.

Kogi state initiated the pending case at the supreme court before being joined by about 14 other states.

The supreme court on Tuesday heard the matter and adjourned for judgment till a date to be communicated to parties.